The country is preparing for the next round of local government elections, including the election of district mayors, after the current five-year terms expire in October 2026.
As preparations gather pace, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) is rolling out training programmes, implementing a new electoral law, and awaiting additional regulations to guide the polls.
The New Times highlights the key issues ahead of the elections.
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NEC trains more than 17,000 electoral volunteers
The NEC has begun training 17,717 electoral volunteers who will oversee elections at polling station, polling centre (cell), and sector levels.
The volunteers are being trained on the new electoral law — Organic Law No. 002/2026/OL of May 25, 2026, as well as the election of advisory councils at all decentralised levels and executive committees of the National Women's Council, National Youth Council, and National Council of Persons with Disabilities, from the grassroots to the national level.
The programme also covers ethical standards, including impartiality, transparency, volunteers' responsibilities, and coordination with other stakeholders.
The law, gazetted on May 25, replaces electoral legislation that had undergone several amendments since 2019.
Between May 25 and 29, the NEC also trained members of Civic Education Coordination Committees as part of broader preparations for the elections.
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In addition, the commission has launched nationwide performance assessments of election volunteers.
"The assessment will help improve preparations for the upcoming elections. Election volunteers play a key role in ensuring that electoral activities are conducted smoothly," the NEC said.
New regulations to shape the elections
The Cabinet has approved a Presidential Order on local administrative elections and a Prime Minister's Order governing elections for executive committees of the National Women's Council, National Youth Council, and National Council of Persons with Disabilities.
NEC Chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa said details will be released once the orders are gazetted.
One of the major changes under the new electoral law is that the composition of electoral colleges will now be determined through a Presidential Order rather than being fixed in the Organic Law.
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Officials say the change will make it easier to adjust the composition of electoral colleges without repeatedly amending the law.
Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, a legal adviser at the Ministry of Local Government, said the new approach allows electoral colleges to be expanded or reduced as circumstances require.
Another amendment extends the period before by-elections become mandatory for vacant local leadership positions from six months to one year.
However, replacement elections may still be organised immediately if vacancies involving two or more elected officials disrupt the functioning of an institution.
Further implementation details will be provided through the new regulations once they are gazetted.
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Election timetable awaits Cabinet approval
The NEC said the official election calendar and roadmap must first be approved by the Cabinet. The proposed timetable has already been submitted by the Ministry of Local Government.
Who can contest?
District mayors serve five-year terms and may be re-elected once. This means mayors who secured a second term in 2021 have reached the constitutional limit and cannot seek re-election in 2026.
Those serving their first terms remain eligible to contest, although re-election is not automatic. Performance is expected to play a significant role. Districts are evaluated annually through Imihigo, the government's performance contract system.
Officials say leaders whose districts score below 60 per cent are unlikely to retain their positions, regardless of eligibility.
The latest Imihigo assessment recorded a national average score of 69 per cent.
President Paul Kagame has also urged local leaders considering another term to honestly evaluate their own performance before asking voters for another mandate.
Which mayors cannot run again?
Mayors who have completed two consecutive terms and are therefore ineligible include: Jerome Rutaburingoga (Gisagara), Ange Sebutege (Huye),
Valens Habarurema (Ruhango), Jacqueline Kayitare (Muhanga), Richard Mutabazi (Bugesera), Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi (Rwamagana), Richard Gasana (Gatsibo), Antoinette Mukandayisenga (Nyabihu)
Patrick Kajyambere, who completed the remainder of the term in Nyanza after succeeding former mayor Erasme Ntazinda, is also not eligible to contest.
Which mayors remain eligible?
Most mayors currently serving their first terms are eligible to seek another mandate.
They include:
Southern Province: Ildebrand Niwemwungeri (Nyamagabe), Emmanuel Murwanashyaka (Nyaruguru), and Dr Sylvere Nahayo (Kamonyi),
Western Province: Phanuel Sindayiheba (Rusizi), Narcisse Mupenze (Nyamasheke), Gerard Muzungu (Karongi), Dative Kayitesi (Rutsiro), as well as the mayors of Rubavu and Ngororero.
Northern Province: Vestine Mukandayisenge (Gakenke), Judith Mukanyirigira (Rulindo), Soline Mukamana (Burera), Emmanuel Nzabonimpa (Gicumbi), and Claudien Nsengimana (Musanze).
Eastern Province: Bruno Rangira (Kirehe) and Nathalie Niyonagira (Ngoma).
Some districts, including Nyanza, Kayonza, and Nyagatare, are currently headed by acting mayors following leadership changes.