2017 Rwandan presidential election
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Presidential elections were held in Rwanda on 4 August 2017. The incumbent President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, was re-elected to a third seven-year term with 98.79% of the vote.[1]
Background
A referendum in 2015 approved constitutional amendments that allow incumbent President Paul Kagame to run for a third term in office in 2017, as well as shortening presidential terms from seven to five years, although the latter change would not come into effect until 2024.[2]
Electoral system
The President of Rwanda is elected in one round of voting by plurality.[3]
Candidates
Kagame announced that he would run for a third term in a televised address to mark the start of 2016, saying "You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept. But I don't think that what we need is an eternal leader."[4]
In February 2017, Phillipe Mpayimana announced his candidacy as an independent candidate. A former journalist and author, he has lived outside Rwanda since 1994 and worked with humanitarian organisations.[5]
35-year-old businesswoman Diane Rwigara announced her candidacy, running as a critic of Kagame. Days after she launched her campaign, nude photos of Rwigara were leaked onto the Internet in an attempt to discredit her.[6] On 7 July the National Electoral Commission disqualified Rwigara and two other candidates on technical grounds,[7] alleging they had not collected enough valid signatures.[8][9] Amnesty International said that the election would be held in a "climate of fear and repression"[10] and the commission's decision was criticised by the US State Department and the European Union.[11][12]
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda leader Frank Habineza also declared his candidacy.
Provisional results
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Kagame | Rwandan Patriotic Front | 6,675,472 | 98.79 | |
| bgcolor="Template:Independent (politician)/meta/color"| | Philippe Mpayimana | Independent | 49,031 | 0.73 |
| Frank Habineza | Democratic Green Party of Rwanda | 32,701 | 0.48 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 12,310 | – | ||
| Total | 6,769,514 | 100 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 6,897,076 | 98.15 | ||
| Source: NEC Rwanda | ||||
Following his victory, Kagame was sworn in for another term on 18 August 2017.[13]
References
- ^ Rwanda's Kagame wins presidential election Sky News, 5 August 2017
- ^ Paul Kagame's third term: Rwanda referendum on 18 December BBC News, 9 December 2015
- ^ Rwanda IFES
- ^ Rwanda's Paul Kagame to run for third presidential term BBC News, 1 January 2016
- ^ Rwanda: Ex-Journalist to Face President Kagame in August Poll The East African, 6 February 2017
- ^ Okey-Nwosu, Muna (9 May 2017). "Rwandese Presidential Candidate Diane Shima Rwigara isn't Backing Out Despite Leaked Nude Photos". Bella Naija.
- ^ Gardner, Tom (4 August 2017). "Rwanda is like a pretty girl with a lot of makeup, but the inside is dark and dirty". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Ssuuna, Ignatius (30 August 2017). "Former Rwandan Presidential Candidate Accused of Forgery". Bloomberg Politics. Associated Press. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Rwanda disqualifies only female presidential candidate". Reuters. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Three Rwandan Presidential Candidates Disqualified Amid Criticism". VOA News. Associated Press. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Police Investigating Critic Of Rwandan President For Forgery". PM News Nigeria. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Critic of Rwandan President Investigated for Forgery". The New York Times. Reuters. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Clement Uwiringiyimana, "Rwanda's president strikes defiant note in inauguration", Reuters, 18 August 2017.
