Rwandan President Paul Kagame is poised for a fourth term after securing an overwhelming 99.15% of the vote in an election where only two challengers were permitted.
The results, announced shortly after polls closed, affirmed Kagame’s firm grip on power in Rwanda, a role he has held for three decades.
The election commission’s preliminary figures showed Kagame’s vote share exceeding his previous record, highlighting the lopsided nature of the electoral contest. Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party garnered 0.53%, while independent Philippe Mpayimana managed just 0.32%, AFP reports.
Addressing supporters from the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) headquarters, Kagame expressed gratitude for another term and emphasized the significance of the election results as a testament to public trust and support.
The electoral process, despite criticisms of restrictions on opposition candidates, was deemed “safe and transparent” by the National Electoral Commission. With a significant portion of the population under 30, Kagame remains the dominant political figure in a nation still recovering from the trauma of the 1994 genocide.
While credited with economic recovery and stability post-genocide, Kagame faces allegations of domestic authoritarianism and involvement in regional conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The election, concurrent with legislative polls, witnessed over nine million Rwandans casting ballots, including a substantial number of first-time voters. However, Amnesty International criticized the electoral environment, citing severe restrictions on political opposition.
The campaign period underscored a stark contrast in resources and visibility between Kagame’s well-funded RPF machinery and his opponents, who struggled to gain traction.
Looking forward, Kagame’s constitutional amendments have extended his potential tenure until 2034, a move contested by critics and opposition figures sidelined by legal challenges and administrative hurdles.
In the parliamentary contest, 589 candidates vied for 80 seats, reflecting a diverse field including reserved seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Despite international scrutiny and domestic dissent, Kagame’s reelection consolidates his influence over Rwandan politics, setting the stage for continued debate over governance and democratic freedoms in the country.
