Rwanda electoral body nullifies Diane Rwigara's presidential candidacy

By Moise Bahati, KIGALI Rwanda

The National Electoral Commission of Rwanda (NEC) has removed the name of Diane Rwigara, the opponent of President Paul Kagame from the list of Presidential Candidates expected to participate in the national election be held on July 14, 2024.

The NEC on Thursday, June 6, announced the provisional list of candidates approved to run for president in the 2024 elections, with three out of nine hopefuls meeting the requirements.

The Chairman of NEC, Oda Gasinzigwa, has said that Rwigara failed to submit some of the documents required to confirm him in the Candidacy position, including Reports of Criminal Records and Members' Signatures, an exercise that has been closed since May 30.

Other five candidates nullified by the NEC include Herman Manirareba, Innocent Hakizimana, Fred Sekikubo Barafinda, Thomas Habimana and Jean Mbanda.

According to the electoral laws, the aspirants have at least five days to fulfil the requirements on which they fell short before the final list of candidates is announced.

However, NEC said that the deadline to submit requirements related to 600 signatures of supporters elapsed on May 30.

In 2017, Diane Rwigara was also removed from the process of vying for the Presidency for alleged lack of criteria while her family was reported to be facing a series of problems including the deaths of family members and the nationalization of some of their businesses.

It should be noted that President Paul Kagame has ruled Rwanda since 1994 under the guise of Vice President and became full President in 2003.