KIGALI, Sept. 15, (Xinhua/GNA) — Campaigning for Rwanda’s Senate elections concluded on Friday, wrapping up a three-week race for the 26 available seats in the upper chamber of parliament.
A total of 32 candidates are running in the elections, which are set to take place next week, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). “The campaigns, which began on Aug. 26, proceeded smoothly across the country, as planned by the NEC.
Candidates successfully engaged with members of electoral colleges, and all adhered to electoral guidelines,” NEC Vice President Nicole Mutimukeye told reporters.
She encouraged members of the electoral colleges to turn out in large numbers to vote. The Rwandan Senate is composed of 14 senators elected by the specific councils in accordance with the administrative entities, eight appointed by the president, and four from the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations.
Public and private universities each have one seat in the Senate. Elections for 12 senators representing the capital Kigali and the provinces will take place on Sept. 16, while public and private universities will elect their representatives on Sept. 17. To qualify for Senate elections, candidates must be at least 40 years old and hold a university degree.
GNA