The local government elections for executive committee members of the youth, women and people with disabilities are set to be elected on Tuesday November 9 in every district countrywide.

Candidates to be voted at the district level are delegates from their respective sectors, with each Electoral College made up of seven representatives from every sector.

Emmanuel Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of National Council of People with Disabilities hailed the efforts put in place to make sure that people with disabilities are well represented.

The Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Emmanuel Ndayisaba . / Sam Ngendahimana

"These committees that we will vote are very special, because these are the leaders that follow up on a daily basis the particular problems that people with disabilities in their communities face and they are able to represent them and solve the problems with the intervention of other partners as well.

"The most pressing issues they will help solve is implementing the different policies that were put in place, like an inclusive education for all and making sure that all children with disabilities are able to go to school, and making sure that people with disabilities equally access employment, health services and justice” he said.

Ndayisaba added that more people with disabilities have been vying for higher positions in local leadership like mayors and advisory committees and do not limit themselves which represents inclusivity for all.

Fountaine Muvunyi, founder of Patriotism Rwanda, a youth led organization stressed the importance of youth representation in the local government

"most decisions like budgets, planning for infrastructures are done at the district level and it is important for the youth to be represented and give insights and ideas of how they can be included in government projects,”

Muvunyi added that youth representation through the elected council will bring an inclusive governance system that will make young people work together from the national level to the village level, and make sure that young people are not left behind.

Covid-19 vaccine mandate

Meanwhile, all members of the electoral commission should have proof of Covid-19 vaccination, according to Charles Munyaneza, the executive secretary of National Electoral Commission (NEC).

"In order to be safe during the elections, we worked with the Ministry of Local Government and RBC to make sure that all these representatives from different sectors who will be voted and members of the electoral college are all fully vaccinated” he said.

The elections will be followed by voting for an advisory council at the district level on November 13, women should consist of 30 per cent of the council.

These will be followed by the elections of the executive committee of women, youth and people with disabilities at the provincial and after, the national level.

The five year term for the elected leaders will kick off in February 2022.