Representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, government institutions and diplomatic missions are among those expected to observe the upcoming local government elections, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

NEC Chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa said the commission will begin receiving applications from prospective election observers on October 1, ahead of the elections scheduled to take place between October and November 2026.

The announcement was made on September 24, during a meeting between NEC and leaders of political parties represented in the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO), which discussed preparations for the elections.

"Political parties’ representatives are among the election observers. Other election observers for the upcoming local government elections include representatives of government institutions, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and embassies, among others,” Gasinzigwa said.

She clarified, however, that while political parties will be represented among election observers, candidates in the local government elections will contest as individuals rather than on political party tickets.

"Candidates will individually contest regardless of the political parties they come from. Political party representation plays a role in presidential and parliamentary elections, as happened in recent elections,” she explained.

The elections will usher in new leaders at different levels of local government, as the terms of office of elected leaders in decentralised administrative entities and members of the National Councils expire between late October and early November.

The electoral process will begin at the village level and progress through the cell, sector and district levels.

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, with leaders elected from the grassroots to the national level.

During the meeting, representatives of political parties emphasised the need for public awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to participate in the elections.

Valens Muhakwa, a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), called for greater mobilisation of youth, women and people with disabilities to ensure their participation in the electoral process.

"Enough mobilisation is needed. Indirect and direct voting must be well explained in the upcoming local government elections,” he said.

Alphonse Nkubana, a member of the Prosperity and Solidarity Party (PSP), also called for increased public awareness campaigns to help citizens understand the structure of local government and how they can participate in the elections.

According to NEC, approximately 70,000 electoral volunteers will be needed to facilitate the elections.

The commission said the volunteers have been updated on electoral laws and regulations and will soon receive training on election operations.

Who is eligible to stand for election?

NEC Executive Secretary Jean-Claude Musabyimana outlined the eligibility requirements for candidates seeking various positions in local government.

Candidates must be Rwandan citizens of good character, registered on the voters’ roll and must not have been placed under judicial guardianship by a competent court.

"Candidates must not have a medical condition that prevents them from fulfilling the responsibilities of the position they are seeking. They must not hold a job that is incompatible with the position they are seeking,” Musabyimana explained.

He added that individuals who have caused the bankruptcy of institutions they managed are ineligible to stand for election unless they have been legally rehabilitated.

The same applies to individuals sentenced to six months or more in prison by a final court judgment, unless they have been rehabilitated.

A person seeking election to a Village Executive Committee or a councillor position at the cell, sector, district or City of Kigali level must be at least 21 years old.

Candidates for Village Executive Committees must have completed at least six years of primary education.

Those seeking positions on District Executive Committees or the City of Kigali Executive Committee must be members of the respective councils and hold at least a bachelor’s degree (A0).

Candidates for district mayor must be at least 25 years old, while those seeking to become Mayor of Kigali must be at least 35 years old.

Key dates for the local government elections

According to the electoral calendar presented by Musabyimana, elections for village-level leaders and representatives of various categories will take place on October 24, followed by cell-level elections on October 31.

Elections for sector-level leaders and representatives of various categories are scheduled for November 7.

For candidates seeking seats on District Councils, applications will be received from October 10 to 21.

The provisional list of approved candidates will be published on October 26, followed by the final list on October 30.

Campaigns for District Council candidates will run from November 7 to 21.

Elections for members of the executive committees of District Councils are scheduled for November 14.

On November 17, voters will elect five women councillors, representing the 30 per cent quota for women on District Councils, while eight general councillors will be elected on November 21.

Elections for members of District Council bureaux will take place on November 24, followed by the election of District Executive Committees on November 28.

Elections for executive committee members of the National Women’s Council and the National Council of Persons with Disabilities will also take place on November 28.

The electoral process will conclude on November 30 with elections for members of the executive committees of the National Councils.