Millions of Rwandans participated in presidential and parliamentary elections on Monday, with President Paul Kagame poised to secure another term amidst limited opposition.
Kagame, who has led Rwanda since the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, faces two challengers in an election overshadowed by the exclusion of prominent critics.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent Philippe Mpayimana are the only contenders approved to run against Kagame, replicating the 2017 scenario where Kagame won nearly 99 percent of the vote. The election, held concurrently with legislative polls, marks a significant political event in Rwanda.
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Polling stations across the country closed at 3 pm (1300 GMT), with vote counting underway and partial results expected soon.
Rwandans like Mariam Mukakaramba, a marriage counsellor in Kigali, expressed optimism about Kagame’s leadership, citing developmental progress despite economic challenges.
While GDP growth has been robust, with the economy expanding by 7.2 percent annually, concerns linger over human rights and political freedoms under Kagame’s tenure. Opposition figures like Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire were barred from running, and Diane Rwigara, a vocal critic, faced disqualification for administrative reasons.
Despite criticisms of limited political space, opposition candidate Habineza praised the election’s atmosphere as “free and fair,” noting the expanded democratic participation in Rwanda.
In the parliamentary race, 589 candidates vie for 80 seats, with the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) dominating the campaign landscape.
