Local government elections will be held from October 10 to December 15, according to the schedule announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), on August 1. ALSO READ: A closer look at local government structure ahead of 2026 elections The elections will determine leaders of decentralised administrative entities, beginning at the village level and progressing through the cell, sector and district levels. Alongside local government leaders, elections will also be held for the executive committees of the National Women’s Council, the National Youth Council and the National Council of Persons with Disabilities. These councils will elect their leaders from the grassroots level up to the national level. Before voting begins, NEC will spend three weeks, from October 1 to 22, inviting and receiving election observers to monitor the process. ALSO READ: What to know as Rwanda prepares for local govt elections The commission will accept candidacy applications for District Council seats between October 10 and 21. A provisional list of approved candidates district councillors will be published on October 26, followed by the final, confirmed list on October 30, giving prospective candidates a window to resolve objections before the vote. Candidates for District Council seats will campaign for two weeks, from November 7 to 21. ALSO READ: What are the 4 key proposed changes to Rwanda's elections law? The election of committees for national councils at national level on will take place on November 14, five reserved seats for women in districts on November 17, eight general council seats on November 21, and the District Council's Bureau and District executive committees on November 24. At the level of provinces and the City of Kigali, the election of the Executive Committee members for the councils of women and persons with disabilities will take place on November 28. Executive Committees for councils at national level are to be elected on November 30, with the full composition of those councils finalized not later than December 15.
