Residents of Kigali will by the end of the day know their new city mayor as elections are expected to take place today starting at 9.00am at the Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo. 

The elections for the mayor of the City of Kigali will be held through college system composed of the representatives from sectors, districts and the Kigali City Council.

The Electoral College is made up of a total of 214 voters according to information from the National Electoral Commission.

Voting will be by secret ballot.

The exercise follows elections for district mayors countrywide which took place on Friday and were preceded by the general election of sector councilors.

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, Charles Munyaneza, the NEC executive secretary, said that candidates for the mayoral position will be known this morning and given a chance to campaign before the Electoral College before voting gets underway.

Candidates eligible for the position should be over 35 years of age, holders of a University degree. All persons taking part in the exercise who meet the qualifications can run for the position.

All mayors, including that of the City of Kigali, vacated offices on January 29 to pave way for local government elections.

Former mayor Fidèle Ndayisaba is not up for re-election and cabinet recently appointed him as new executive secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission.

Besides the mayor, elections will also be held for the two vice mayors (finance and economic development and one for social affairs).

Also to be elected are the chairperson of the council of the City of Kigali, the deputy chair and secretary.

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