Local government elections will start in October 2026, according to the schedule announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC). 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. ALSO READ: What to know as Rwanda prepares for local govt elections 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. ALSO READ: A closer look at local government structure ahead of 2026 elections In this article, The New Times looks at the key dates for the upcoming local government elections. October 1-22: Election observers to be accredited Election observers will be invited and accredited between October 1 and 22. October 10-21: District Council candidacy applications NEC will receive candidacy applications for District Advisory Council seats between October 10 and 21. October 26: Provisional District Council candidates published The provisional list of District Advisory Council candidates will be approved and published on October 26, according to NEC. October 30: Final District Council candidate list published The final list of District Council candidates will be approved and published on October 30. October 24: Village-level elections According to NEC, on October 24, villages will elect their Executive Committees, their representatives to the Cell Council, two women representatives to the Cell Advisory Council under the 30 per cent quota, and the committees of the Village Women's and Youth Councils, October 31: Cell-level elections On October 31, cells will elect their representatives to the Sector Advisory Council, women councillors under the 30 per cent quota, two women candidates for the Sector Council, executive committees of the Cell National Councils, councillors representing special categories such as persons with disabilities, and the Cell Council Bureau. November 7: Sector-level elections On November 7, sectors will elect councillors representing special categories, executive committees of the Sector National Councils (women, youth and people with disabilities councils), women councillors for sector advisory councils under the 30 per cent quota, and the Sector Council Bureau. November 7-21: District Council campaigns Candidates for District Advisory Council seats will campaign between November 7 and 21. November 14 Executive committees of the District National women, youth and people with disabilities Councils will be elected on November 14, according to NEC. November 17: Women councillors elected Five women councillors for the district councils will be elected under the 30 per cent quota on November 17. November 21: General councillors elected Eight general councillors for Districts Advisory Councils will be elected on November 21. November 24: District Council leadership elected The District Council Bureau and Executive Committee will be elected on November 24. The district executive committee comprises the mayor and two vice-mayors, one in charge of economic development and the other in charge of social affairs. November 28: Provincial and City of Kigali women council committees On November 28, executive committees of Women's Council and the Council of Persons with Disabilities will be elected at the provincial and City of Kigali levels. November 30: National Council executive committees Executive committees of the National Councils will be elected on November 30. December 15: National Councils fully constituted The composition of all National Councils will be completed by December 15. December 30: Final election report NEC will submit its general report on the elections by December 30.
