Rwandan President Paul Kagame is extending his 24-year rule by another five years in a decisive victory, with most votes from Monday’s election now counted.
He holds 99.15% of the vote, with approximately 79% of ballots tallied, according to partial results from the electoral commission. The 66-year-old faced no significant opposition, as authorities barred leading challengers from running, and his two opponents together secured less than 1% of the vote.
In a speech at his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party headquarters, Kagame thanked Rwandans for their trust, emphasising that the figures reflect this trust. Opponents Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana received 0.53% and 0.32% of the vote, respectively.
The electoral commission expects to release full provisional results by July 20 and final results by July 27. These results mirror the 2017 election, where Kagame won with 98.8% of the vote against the same candidates.
Authorities disqualified at least three candidates, including outspoken critic Diane Rwigara. The electoral commission reported that 98% of the over 9.5 million eligible voters participated, electing a president and 53 legislators. Elections for 27 special seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities will take place on Tuesday.
Kagame has led Rwanda since the end of the 1994 genocide and has served as president since 2000. While rights groups accuse him of suppressing freedoms, his supporters credit him with fostering economic growth and reducing ethnic divisions.
Source: BBC
