The election of mayors and vice mayors of Rwanda’s 27 districts and the City of Kigali will take place after the current terms end in October, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). ALSO READ: 2026 local elections: Which district mayors are eligible to run again? For candidates seeking seats on District Advisory Councils, from which mayors and vice-mayors are selected, applications will be received from October 10 to 21, followed by campaigns and elections in November. They are part of local government elections. ALSO READ: Key dates in upcoming local govt elections Mayors and vice mayors of 27 districts and the City of Kigali are elected from members of their councils. The New Times looks at the requirements and procedures for becoming a mayor. Conditions for candidates seeking election to the District or City of Kigali Executive Committee According to Article 129 of the 2026 Organic Law governing elections, a person wishing to submit his or her candidacy for the office of member of the Executive Committee of a District or the City of Kigali must first be a member of the relevant District Council or the Council of the City of Kigali. The candidate must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification recognised by the competent authority. A candidate for mayor of a district must be at least 25 years old, while a candidate for mayor of the City of Kigali must be at least 35. However, the law allows a person holding at least a secondary education completion diploma or certificate recognised by the competent authority, and who has at least five years of experience in leadership functions, to be authorised to submit his or her candidacy. Such candidates must still meet the relevant age requirements. The submission of candidacies for the office of a member of the Executive Committee of a district or the City of Kigali takes place on polling day before the members of the Electoral College. The election of members of the Executive Committee is conducted by indirect and secret ballot. ALSO READ: Political parties, civil society among observers for local elections The District Executive Committee consists of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development and the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs. The Electoral College comprises members of the Cell Council Bureau, Sector Advisory Councils and District Advisory Council, as well as district-level Executive Committees of the National Women’s Council (CNF), National Youth Council (CNJ), National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and Private Sector Federation (PSF). Anyone seeking to become a mayor or vice mayor must therefore first be among the elected members of the District Council or the Council of the City of Kigali. Requirements for district or City of Kigali councillor candidates There are also requirements for candidates seeking election as councillors at District or City of Kigali level. According to Article 120 of the law, a candidate for the position of councillor at District or City of Kigali level must be a Rwandan citizen, be at least 21 years old and not be subject to any disqualification provided for under the Organic Law. ALSO READ: A closer look at local government structure ahead of 2026 elections Candidates must submit their candidacy in writing in accordance with the National Electoral Commission’s instructions, stating their full name, the position sought and the district being contested. The application must include a CV, a copy of the national identity card, a certificate of good conduct, a notarised academic certificate or degree, two passport-sized colour photographs, a valid criminal record certificate and a signed or fingerprinted declaration confirming the authenticity of the submitted documents. A candidate intending to campaign through meetings or rallies must notify, in writing, the district authorities at least 24 hours before the activity and send a copy to the district electoral coordinator. The submission of candidacies for the office of member of the Bureau of the District Advisory Council or the City of Kigali Council takes place on polling day before the members of the Council. A candidate for the Bureau must be a councillor at that level, be at least 25 years old and hold at least a bachelor’s degree recognised by the competent authority. However, a person holding at least a secondary education completion diploma or certificate recognised by the competent authority, and possessing at least five years of experience in leadership functions, may be authorised to submit his or her candidacy. In district elections, 17 councillors are elected, and a person from anywhere in the country may submit his or her candidacy in any district as long as they meet the requirements. Eight general district councillors are elected. The Electoral College comprises the Bureau of the Cell Council, Sector Councils within the district, and district-level Executive Committees of the National Women’s Council, National Youth Council, National Council of Persons with Disabilities and Private Sector Federation. Five women councillors, who must constitute at least 30 per cent of the District Council, are elected by members of Sector Councils in the District and Executive Committees of the National Women’s Council at Sector and District levels. Four other District and City of Kigali councillors represent specific groups: women, youth, persons with disabilities and the private sector. District and City of Kigali councillors elect the Council Bureau comprising a chairperson, deputy chairperson and secretary. NEC Executive Secretary Jean-Claude Musabyimana said candidates for local government positions must be Rwandan citizens of good character, registered on the voters’ roll and not under judicial guardianship. They must be medically fit to perform the duties of the position and must not hold jobs that are incompatible with the position they seek. Those responsible for the bankruptcy of institutions they managed, or those sentenced to at least six months in prison by a final court judgment, are ineligible unless they have been legally rehabilitated. Offices incompatible with membership of the District or City Council According to Article 119, several offices are incompatible with membership of the Council at District or City of Kigali level. These include members of the Cabinet, members of Parliament, judges, investigators, prosecutors, Provincial Governors, police officers, soldiers, members of the National Intelligence and Security Service, and members of the Rwanda Correctional Service. Also ineligible to be a member of the district and city councils are public servants posted abroad, staff members of the National Electoral Commission, staff members of the relevant District or City of Kigali, Auditor General of State Finances or his or her deputy, Ombudsman or his or her deputy, and any holder of an office that specific laws prohibit from being held concurrently with the office sought. However, the law provides a procedure for people holding such offices who wish to contest an election. A person exercising one of the incompatible offices may apply for and obtain written authorisation from his or her supervisory authority. The person must then provisionally suspend the exercise of that office before submitting his or her candidacy. The person is authorised to conduct an electoral campaign and, if elected, must resign from the office that is incompatible with the elected position. If the person is not elected, he or she resumes the previous office as of right.
