Senators pick new president tomorrow

Senators are tomorrow expected to elect a new senate president to replace Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo who stepped down last month. President Paul Kagame is expected to preside over the event that will be held at the Parliament Buildings. Sources from the Senate say that on election day, candidates will be nominated and then the nominees will campaign followed by the voting process. Currently, out of the potential 25 members, no one has come out publically to express interest in the seat. “Those with more experience in political affairs stand a chance depending on their skills but it’s all subject to who will vie for the seat,” a source speaking on condition of anonymity told The New Times. Members are expected to vote for just one seat, however, if either of the Senate Bureau members (Jean d’Arc Gakuba or Bernard Makuza) vies for the top seat and wins, members will also have to elect a replacement. “That’s a probability that can’t be ruled out as well,” the source said. Article 18 of the organic law establishing internal rules of the Senate partly stipulates that the person elected to replace a member who has been removed from the Bureau shall complete the remaining term of the replaced member. Ntawukuriryayo resigned after majority of the senators issued a petition demanding that the Senate be recalled from recess to discuss a list of concerns pertaining to his leadership style. During the session, Senator Tito Rutaremara, who is in charge of discipline in the Senate, outlined some of the alleged offenses that irked members of the Upper House. They include taking unilateral decisions, sidestepping the Bureau (the Senate’s supreme organ, comprising the president and his two deputies), interfering in administrative matters such as recruitment of staff and not presiding over the sittings and activities of the Bureau and the Committee for Chairpersons as required. Senators also accused Ntawukuriryayo of breaching several provisions in the Upper House’s internal rules and regulations, including interference with a Parliamentary audit exercise. The elections are held through secret ballot. edwin.musoni@newtimes.co.rw

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Senators pick new president tomorrow