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This announcement was made on July 15, 2024, following the participation of Rwandans both within the country and abroad who voted for the President and 53 Members of Parliament from various political parties and independent candidates.

The President of the National Electoral Commission, Oda Gasinzigwa, noted that the elections were conducted smoothly and that the voter turnout was impressive.

'We greatly appreciate all Rwandans, both in Rwanda and abroad, for their participation in the elections, achieving an impressive turnout rate of 98%,' she stated.

President Paul Kagame castin his vote on July 15, 2024.

IGIHE

Other presidential candidates, Dr. Frank Habineza of the DGPR party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, also voted earlier in the day around 10 AM.

The RPF Inkotanyi candidate has shown confidence in winning the elections, based on the high turnout of supporters at various campaign sites.

On July 13, during a campaign event at Gahanga site in Kicukiro District, Kagame told the crowd, 'I truly feel confident that everything will go well as it should. I will return here for us to celebrate, to celebrate victory.'

Dr. Habineza, as he mentioned at the end of his campaign activities, reaffirmed on July 15 that he has a 55% chance of winning the presidency.

Mpayimana, who voted at Camp Kigali site in Nyarugenge District, told the media that he also believes in his victory and assured his supporters that they will smile when the National Electoral Commission announces the preliminary election results.

The voting process will conclude at 3 PM. It is expected that the National Electoral Commission will announce the preliminary results in the evening.

Paul Kagame has cast his vote.

Mrs. Jeannette Kagame places a ballot paper in the box after voting.

Kagame voted at SOS Kagugu polling station in Gasabo District at around 1 PM on July 15, 2024.

IGIHE

Paul Kagame, the incumbent President and candidate of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), along with his opponents, Dr Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, followed the same voting procedures as the general public.

Voting took place on July 15, 2024, across numerous polling stations throughout the country. The polling stations opened early in the morning, allowing voters to cast their ballots in an orderly manner.

Each candidate participated in the voting process by going to their designated polling stations. They were seen engaging with voters and encouraging a peaceful and fair election.

Accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, the President arrived at Gacuriro Technical Secondary School in Kinyinya Sector SOS Kagugu in Gasabo at 1:00 pm.

Unlike other Presidential Candidates, after casting his vote, Kagame did not speak to the
media.

Paul Kagame, the incumbent President and candidate of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), voted at Gacuriro Technical Secondary School in Kinyinya Sector SOS Kagugu, Gasabo District. He did not speak to the media.

Dr Habineza voted from GS Kimironko 2 polling center in Gasabo district. He expressed optimism about winning the vote.

'I am so happy to have exercised my fundamental right by voting. Having traversed the country during the campaigns, I come to vote with a solid hope that I will win with 55% and be the next President,' he said.

Dr Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party expressed optimism about winning the presidential election.

Habineza said that his party is certain of securing a minimum of at least 20 slots for Members of Parliament.

According to him, the smooth campaign and election exercise indicates that Rwanda has taken a big step in ensuring the prevalence of democracy.

Similarly, independent Presidential hopeful, Phillippe Mpayimana voted from Camp Kigali polling station in Nyarugenge district.

He said that after winning (as he expects), the electorate should keep him in check based on the promises he has made throughout the campaign period.

Independent Presidential hopeful, Phillippe Mpayimana, is also optimistic of winning the poll.

'I am confident of winning but not 100% in fact I don’t want to win 100%. All I want is to win and show Rwandans the beauty of how they can participate in the country’s democratic process.

'After winning, I kindly request you keep asking me about the progress on the assurances included in my manifesto,' he added.

From his observation throughout the campaigns, Mpayimana said that the population yearns to get to know and vote for particular names of candidates instead of just symbols of political parties.

The National Electoral Commission has ensured that all registered voters are able to vote by implementing a technology to update voter statuses seamlessly.

The registration process was facilitated through online platforms in addition to the use of a USSD code, ensuring that all registered voters participate in the electoral process.

The National Electoral Commission established over 2,500 polling stations nationwide to ensure a fair voting process.

NEC’s Vice Chairperson, Nicole Mutimucyeye has revealed that tentative election results will be announced by 10:00 pm on voting day with the final results expected on July 27, 2024.

Sam K Nkurunziza

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect, identified as Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, was arrested on Monday morning in ongoing relentless efforts to deliver justice to the victims.

Khalusha was arrested at 3 am outside a club in Nairobi’s Soweto neighbourhood, where he had gone to watch the Euro 2024 football finals between England and Spain.

DCI boss Mohamed Amin told journalists in Nairobi that detectives narrowed down on the suspect after conducting forensic analysis of a mobile money account belonging to one of the victims, Josphine Mulongo Owino. Mobile money transactions conducted on the day she went missing pointed to the suspect.

Upon his arrest, the suspect led officers to his single-room rented house in Kware, located about 100m from the crime scene where bodies and other dismembered body parts were recovered.

A search of the house led to the recovery of crucial exhibits, including a machete and six Kenyan national identity cards for men, along with two belonging to women.

Other items recovered from the suspect’s house included 24 new SIM cards, eight smartphones, a laptop, nylon sacks, a pair of rubber gloves, a nylon rope, a pair of panties, and a female handbag, among other items.

Upon interrogation, the suspect gave the sleuths a chilling confession how he lured, killed, and disposed of 42 female bodies, including that of his wife, at the Kware dumping site between 2022 and July 11, 2024.

'The suspect alleges that his first victim was his wife namely Imelda Judith Khalenya whom he strangled to death before dismembering her body and disposing it at the site,' Amin said.

Khalusha told detectives that he killed his wife because she twice squandered the money he had given her to start a business.

'He told us that after marrying his first wife in 2022, he started for her a business twice but she squandered the business on both occasions. Out of bitterness he chopped her into pieces and dumped her at the quarry. Further investigations are ongoing' Amid remarked.
The suspect is also believed to have sexually assaulted his victims.

'Apparently he is a person full of vengeance and hatred and he had a special attraction for beautiful women, according to what he told us… We are dealing with a serial killer who has no respect or dignity for human life. He confessed to us that he had carnal knowledge with some of the victims,' Amin said.

Earlier, the police said that all the nine bodies recovered from the dumping site had similar injuries, indicating that the victims were killed in a similar manner. The bodies were wrapped in sacks.

Families with missing relatives have been urged to report to the authorities as investigations into the murders continue.

'We are likely to arrest more suspects because we believe he did not act alone,' Amin stated.

Collins Jumaisi Khalusha confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife after nine bodies were discovered at Kware dumpsite in Mukuru kwa Njenga slum over the weekend.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

He said, 'We commend the voters on the way they conducted themselves during the voting process. It was smooth and successful,' Munyaneza said in an interview with IGIHE shortly after the election.

He also commended the political parties for respecting the rules and regulations regarding the campaigning process and the voting exercise.

'Today, we did not see any campaigning activities on the streets, at polling stations, or elsewhere, and we thank those who contributed to this,' he emphasized.

Munyaneza noted that although voting commenced beyond the stipulated time in some parts of the country, voter turnout at most polling stations was high.

By press time, voting in some areas was still underway as provided for by the electoral laws in cases where there are valid reasons for voting to continue beyond the designated time.

He indicated that the three districts where voting was extended beyond the designated time are Gasabo, Kamonyi, and Bugesera, but elsewhere vote counting was already underway.

Munyaneza highlighted that the provisional results will be announced by the NEC so as to satisfy the curiosity of Rwandans regarding the election process.

He stated, 'When we talk about preliminary results, we distinguish them from those provided for by the law. Preliminary results are provided by the National Electoral Commission to give Rwandans an early insight into the election outcomes. It is to satisfy their curiosity by showing them the current state of affairs. However, the law stipulates that the final results are announced five days after the elections.'

He indicated that journalists are allowed to follow the vote-counting process and take photos of how it is progressing.

At IGIHE, we shall keep you updated.

The Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission, Charles Munyaneza, has expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the elections were conducted on the second day of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Sam K Nkurunziza

Enthusiastic voters started arriving at polling centres as early as 4:00 a.m. to exercise their civic duty. However, it was not until 7:00 a.m. that they were allowed to access polling stations and cast their votes, in line with the guidelines of the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

Over nine million registered voters are expected to cast their votes before the polls close at 3:00 p.m.

As thousands of voters continued to stream in to elect their new leaders, many were overrun with joy and excitement about exercise.

Emile Galois Kazeneza, a forward for the national men’s basketball team implored the youth to turn out in large numbers to make their choices count in the next government.

“I am very happy to be part of the 2024 elections, and I encourage the youth to participate,” said Kazeneza, who also plays for Kepler Basketball Club.

Ariella Ampoze Rurebwayire, who just turned 18, couldn’t hide her excitement as she cast her first vote in the presidential and parliamentary election.

“This is really incredible,” she beamed, “to be able to choose my own president.”

A Filipino couple who have lived in Rwanda for 29 years and acquired Rwandan nationality lauded the NEC and the Rwandan community for meticulously organizing the peaceful election.

'I am very happy, very surprised by how well the Rwandan community organized the elections—very well organized and peaceful,' Gilbert said, adding that elections in his home country are often not peaceful.

Gilbert and his wife arrived in the country in 1995. This is their third time participating in Rwanda’s elections.

Father Vincent Nsengiyuma, who cast his vote at the GS Giheke site in Rusizi District, said he was glad to contribute to the choice of the country’s leadership.

“We, as servants of God, also have the right to vote because we are citizens. Even though someone has dedicated their life to serving God, we are Rwandans and we have a say as citizens in contributing to the election of our leaders.”

Father Vincent Nsengiyuma speaks to the media after casting his vote.

The presidential election has attracted three candidates this year. The candidates are incumbent President Paul Kagame of the RPF Inkotanyi, Dr Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Phillippe Mpayimana.

Habineza cast his vote at Goupe Scolaire 2, in Kimironko, Gasabo District. He told the media that he expects to win the 2024 elections with at least 55% of the votes and secure at least 20 seats in the parliamentary elections.

Dr Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda casts his vote at Goupe Scolaire 2, in Kimironko, Gasabo District.

'My expectation as I mentioned last week is that I am hoping to get at least 55% of the vote for president and ten times more MPS. We had two MPs and hoping to have at least 20 MPs this time,' said Habineza.

Mpayimana cast his vote at the Camp Kigali polling station in Nyarugenge District, while President Kagame voted at SOS polling station in Gasabo District.

Independent candidate Phillippe Mpayimana casts his vote at the Camp Kigali polling station in Nyarugenge District

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The general election kicked off in the diaspora on Sunday, July 14, 2024, with Rwandans across 70 countries participating in the presidential and parliamentary elections.

In Rwanda, voting started at 7:00 am on Monday, July 15, and is scheduled to close at 3:00 pm.

On Tuesday, July 16, female Members of Parliament, two youth representatives, and one representative of people living with disabilities will be elected by special electoral colleges across the country.

Maraga’s Role

According to EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva, Maraga will lead a group of 55 observers across the country to monitor how the elections are conducted in line with existing laws.

The team will then be required to file a detailed report, highlighting key aspects of the electoral process including electoral preparedness, polling day events, and result declaration.

'The team will be assessing the level of compliance with the electoral processes and management to the international, regional, and national established laws, principles, and practices,' Maraga stated after his appointment.

'It will also be assessing adherence to the democratic principles of the EAC as enshrined in the Treaty; and offering objective recommendations for continuous improvement for the conduct of such elections.'

Yesterday, Maraga hosted mission heads from the African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to a breakfast engagement in Kigali. The Mission heads shared experiences on Rwanda’s preparedness for the general election.

Three candidates are vying for the presidency in Rwanda in this year’s polls. They are independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, Frank Habineza, the leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Paul Kagame, the incumbent president and flag bearer of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi).

Maraga served as Kenya’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya between October 2016 and January 2021.

The former CJ’s tenure was marked by the historic nullification of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election in 2017. It was the first presidential election to be annulled not only in Kenya but also on the whole African continent.

A seven-judge bench led by Maraga cited illegalities and irregularities as the reason for nullifying the election results contested by opposition leader Raila Odinga.

“The greatness of any nation lies in its fidelity to the Constitution and adherence to the rule of law and, above all, respect for God,' Maraga remarked in a brief ruling.

Uhuru easily won a repeat election ordered by the Supreme Court after Odinga’s party boycotted the polls.

Maraga hosts mission heads from the African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to a breakfast engagement in Kigali.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Normally, every voter is supposed to vote from the village where he or she is registered but NEC has changed the directive in order to facilitate an easier voting process.

In a statement released on election day, Monday, July 15, 2024, the Electoral body said that some people may not have been able to transfer their names to another polling station and this should not infringe on their civic right.

'NEC announces that people who have not been able to relocate their names in the national voters’ register are allowed to vote at the nearest polling sites after verifying that they are registered on the voters’ list, and they will be added to the annex,' reads the statement.

This authorization is based on act No. 001/24 of February 19, 2024 guiding the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on regulations and provisions regarding presidential and parliamentary elections.

In the past, certain groups of people have been allowed to vote from a polling station that is near to them, not necessarily where they were registered due to the nature of their jobs.

They include essential workers such as medics, emergency service providers, and security personnel continue to operate as usual to ensure public safety and welfare. Others are journalists, students sitting for national examinations and the sick.

Election observers of Rwandan nationality, representatives of political organizations and independent candidates are also allowed to cast their ballot at the polling station they are working from.

Sam K Nkurunziza

Memphis Depay is without a club (Getty)