Niyonshuti Ben has been elected to Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies as a youth representative after securing 47 of the 198 votes cast in the election.
The election was held on Wednesday to fill the seat left vacant by former youth MP Venuste Icyitegetse.
Niyonshuti secured 23.9% of the votes, finishing ahead of Shema David, who received 20 votes, or 10.2%.
The remaining candidates each received fewer than 10 votes, including comedian Muco Samson, who obtained six votes.
Niyonshuti is an entrepreneur who has held youth leadership responsibilities, including coordinating youth volunteers in Nyarugenge District. He also serves in charge of social affairs within the Youth Council of the City of Kigali.
His election fills one of the two seats reserved for youth representatives in Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies. The successful candidate is expected to serve the remainder of the current parliamentary term.
The seat became vacant following Icyitegetse’s resignation. The election was conducted through the electoral college responsible for choosing youth representatives, rather than through a nationwide popular vote.
Niyonshuti will therefore join the existing youth representative in Parliament for the remainder of the current five-year term.
