For the first time in Rwanda, people with speech and hearing impairment are among candidates eligible for contesting to represent persons with disabilities in Parliament in the July elections.

Two out of 13 parliamentary candidates representing persons with disabilities have speech and hearing impairment, according to Emmanuel Ndayisaba, Executive Secretary of the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPD).

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The 13 candidates are vying for one seat for a representative of persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies. They are among 589 candidates vying for 80 seats in the lower house.

"It is the first time we have two people who are candidates and have speech and hearing impairment,” Ndayisaba said in an interview with The New Times.

"It shows that people no longer lack confidence in themselves, and that they are being supported, and that they are also contributing to the good leadership of the country.”

The Electoral College for a Member of Parliament representing individuals with disabilities consists of the NCPD’s Executive Committee members at the district, provincial, and national levels, as well as coordinators in each sector.

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Ndayisaba said in the 2024 elections, people with disabilities will be facilitated to access the polling stations across the country and those with visual impairment will be able to vote using Braille, the written language readable to those with visual impairment.

"In the previous elections when people with vision impairment went to vote, they would go into the room with someone to help them. But this year, in the polling room, they will be facilitated with Braille ballot paper, and they will also have someone who can explain in sign language to those have speech, hearing impairments,” Ndayisaba explained.

Ndayisaba said that the 13 candidates seeking to represent people with disabilities will begin their campaign in early July. Like other special groups, such as women and youth, voting for the representative for people with disabilities will take place on July 16.

Seven campaign sites have been prepared, he said. The campaign will begin in Rwamagana District on July 2, followed by the City of Kigali on July 3.

On July 8, they will go to Musanze District in Northern Province, followed by Rubavu on July 9 and Karongi on July 10. They will go to Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts on July 11, concluding in Nyanza District on July 12.

"In order to make it easier for the candidates, we will find them in their districts rather than having them travel to Kigali,” Ndayisaba said.