More than 1,000 people have submitted candidacies seeking to vie for seats on district advisory councils in the upcoming local government elections, the chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) said at a press conference on Friday, October 23. ALSO READ: Local govt elections: What candidates need to fulfill Each of 30 districts will have 17 councilors. They include five women councilors, eight general councillors and four representatives of each specific group — women, youth, people with disabilities and the private sector. District mayors and vice-mayors will be elected from elected district councillors. Applications were received between October 10 and 21 as part of the upcoming local government elections. NEC chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa said the provisional list of approved district council candidates will be published on October 26, followed by the final list on October 30, giving prospective candidates time to resolve any objections before the vote. ALSO READ: A closer look at local government structure ahead of 2026 elections Once the candidates for district council seats have been approved, campaigns and elections will be held in November. Candidates for district council seats will campaign for two weeks, from November 7 to 21. Village elections start on Saturday Local government elections will start on Saturday, October 24, with the election of members of the Village Executive Committee. The committee comprises the village head and officers responsible for security and the movement of people into and out of the village, social welfare and community cohesion, information and public education, and development. ALSO READ: Key dates in upcoming local govt elections Voters will also elect village representatives to the Cell Council, two women representatives to the Cell Advisory Council, and members of the executive committees of the Village Women’s and Youth Councils. Over 90 observers Gasinzigwa said more than 90 election observers had also registered to monitor the electoral process. Applications for election observer accreditation were received between October 1 and 22. Domestic election observers come from government institutions, the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda, non-governmental organisations operating in Rwanda, and legally recognised faith-based organisations. International observers come from international organisations, electoral management bodies from other countries, and embassies or consulates representing their countries in Rwanda. Principles governing election observers Election observers must understand and respect the laws governing the country in general and electoral laws in particular. They must respect election officials at all levels and remain impartial when monitoring electoral activities. They are also required to uphold honesty and transparency, have a general understanding of Rwanda’s history and national context, and respect Rwandan culture and citizens, according to NEC. The electoral commission added that observers must not interfere in activities unrelated to their authorised election monitoring duties. They are also required to submit reports on the conduct of elections to the National Electoral Commission. Rights of election observers Election observers have the right to receive accreditation upon request, provided they meet the required conditions. They are entitled to receive copies of the laws and regulations governing elections and to be informed of the locations where electoral activities take place. They also have the right to access election-related documents, receive explanations about the electoral process, and monitor electoral activities in areas where they are authorised to operate. In addition, observers should be facilitated to meet election officials and be informed of election results once they have been officially announced. When preparing their reports, election observers should take into account Rwanda’s specific context, including its history, political system, culture, chosen electoral system and the nature of its elections, according to NEC. Reports should be written in clear language that is easy for everyone to understand, avoiding words or expressions that could cause confusion or conflict. They should be based on verifiable facts and examples rather than observers’ personal opinions or beliefs. Observers should report what they have personally witnessed and avoid including information based on hearsay. Their reports should highlight what went well, what did not go well, and recommendations for improvement, in line with electoral laws and international principles governing election management. Election observer reports must be submitted within 60 days after the elections have concluded.
