Rwanda is preparing to elect local government leaders and representatives of national councils for five-year terms, with voting set to begin at village level on October 24, 2026.
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has outlined the requirements candidates must meet, as well as the timetable for elections at village, cell, sector and district levels.
Village elections will take place on Saturday, October 24, followed by cell-level elections on October 31. NEC says voting at both levels will be conducted directly by eligible voters.
Five officials will be elected to each village executive committee: the village head, the official responsible for social welfare and civil affairs, the official in charge of security and movement of people, the official responsible for information and public education, and the official responsible for development.
According to NEC, candidates for village and cell executive committees must be Rwandan citizens of good character, at least 21 years old, have completed at least six years of primary education, and either live or have activities in the village or cell where they seek election.
Candidates for the National Youth Council must generally be aged between 18 and 30. Students may qualify from the age of 16, provided they are not older than 30.
Elections at cell, sector and district levels
Cell-level elections on October 31 will include the selection of women representatives who will make up at least 30 per cent of the Cell Council, a representative of the cell on the Sector Council, and two female candidates for women’s representation on the Sector Council.
Voters will also elect the bureau of the Cell Council and executive committees of national councils at cell level.
Sector-level elections are scheduled for November 7. They will cover executive committees of national councils at sector level, women representatives making up at least 30 per cent of the Sector Council, and members of the Sector Council bureau.
District-level elections will take place between November 14 and 24.
On November 14, voters will elect executive committees of national councils at district level. Five women representatives, who will make up at least 30 per cent of the District Council, will be elected on November 17.
Eight general councillors will be elected on November 21, followed by elections for the District Council bureau and the District Executive Committee on November 24.
The district executive leadership comprises the mayor, the deputy mayor in charge of economic development, and the deputy mayor in charge of social affairs.
NEC says preparations for the elections have been completed, while residents say they are ready to choose leaders who will represent their interests and contribute to national development.
The commission expects all local government structures to be fully constituted by December 15, 2026, with the final report on the conduct of the elections due by December 30.
