2017 Rwandan presidential election
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Presidential elections will be held in Rwanda on 4 August 2017.
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.[1]
Electoral system
The President of Rwanda is elected in one round of voting by plurality.[2]
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."[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Democratic Green Party of Rwanda leader Frank Habineza also declared his candidacy.
References
- ^ 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 (May 9, 2017). "Rwandese Presidential Candidate Diane Shima Rwigara isn't Backing Out Despite Leaked Nude Photos". Bella Naija.
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