EALA elections draft law awaits President assent

The draft law that governs the electoral procedure of members of parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is ready and only awaits signature from the President.This follows its approval by both chambers of parliament.This will pave way for the election of Rwanda’s representatives to the regional assembly to replace current members, whose term expires in June.Rwanda, like the other four member states of the East African Community, has nine representatives at the regional assembly.Justice Minister, Tharcisse Karugarama, yesterday, told The New Times that the bill awaited Presidential accent and publication in the Official Gazette.“Considering how urgent it is to have the law in place, we worked on it expeditiously,” Karugarama said over the phone.He dismissed fears that time would run out before Rwanda elects its representatives due to the delay in having the legislation in place.Karugarama explained that some member states have also not yet elected their representatives, therefore, there is no crisis.Only Tanzania and Burundi have already elected their representatives to serve for the next five years.Similarly, Charles Munyaneza, the Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) said his institution is well prepared and there is no cause for alarm.“We have put in place all the requirements and the elections will take place within a week after the bill has been signed,” he said.Munyaneza said once the law is in place, all political parties will be required to front their candidates who will be vetted by both the lower and upper chamber of parliament.He explained that other representatives for special interest groups will be chosen by electoral colleges beginning from the sector level through their national councils.Special interest groups that send representatives to the regional assembly include the youth, women, and people with disabilities. Each country is obliged to delegate a team of nine members to the Arusha based parliament for a five-year term, renewable only once.Rwanda’s current representatives are; Christophe Bazivamo, Valérie Nyirahabineza, Abdul Karim Harerimana, Straton Ndikuryera, Claire Kayirangwa, Dr Odette Nyiramirimo, Jacquéline Muhongayire, Dr. James Ndahiro and Patricia Hajabakiga.