The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has announced a five-day extension of the period for submitting candidatures for the September 2024 senatorial elections, with the initial deadline of August 6 pushed to August 11.
This concerns the positions of 12 Senators elected in accordance with national administrative entities, and two senators to represent public institutions of higher learning.
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The extension of the candidature submission deadline is provided for in the regulations governing the 2024 elections of senators, as issued by NEC.
According to a June 16 presidential order determining the polling date and electoral campaign period for elections of senators, the polling date for 12 Senators elected in accordance with national administrative entities is Monday, September 16. The polling date for one Senator from public institutions of higher learning and another from private institutions of higher learning is Tuesday, September 17.
Submission of candidatures for Senators elected according to the administrative entities of the country and universities and higher learning institutions, is made personally in writing by the candidate and submitted against acknowledgment of receipt to the Commission at least 35 days before polling day, provides an organic law of 2019 governing elections.
NEC Executive Secretary Charles Munyaneza told The New Times, on August 6, that the extension was informed by factors including a public holiday for celebrating Umuganura – national harvest day – and delays in accessing some required documents to accompany applicants’ candidatures, including criminal records certificates, and medical certificates showing their health status.
"There are documents they request from other institutions such as criminal record and medical certificates which show their health status, and they do not get them immediately. So, we realised it is good to increase the number of days for them so that we give a chance to all people who want it [to submit their candidatures for senatorial position],” he said, pointing out that getting a criminal records certificate sometimes takes long because of the processes involved.
Munyaneza indicated that the move intends to prevent limitations for those who want to run for a five-year senatorial term.
The regulations provide, among other things, that the submission of candidatures for the said positions runs from July 30 through August 11.
The reception of candidatures is done at NEC headquarters (currently in Kiyovu, Kigali), from 9 am to 5 pm.
As per the regulations, NEC will publish the final list of candidates on August 18, instead of August 17 as initially set.
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Article 80 of the constitution of Rwanda provides that the Senate has 26 Senators. They include 12 senators elected by specific electoral colleges in accordance with national administrative entities, and eight senators appointed by the President, giving particular consideration to the principles of national unity, the representation of historically marginalised groups, and any other national interests.
There are also four senators designated by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations, one academician or researcher from public institutions of higher learning elected by the academic and research staff of such institutions, and one academician or researcher from private institutions of higher learning elected by the academic and research staff of the same institutions.