On Monday, Rwandan voters turned out in large numbers at polling stations across the country to elect their next president, with incumbent Paul Kagame widely expected to secure another term.
Kagame, who has been in power for nearly a quarter-century, has consistently garnered over 93% of the vote in previous elections.
This year, he faced just two challengers after several others, including vocal critics, were disqualified from running.
At the Rwandexco polling center in Kigali, voters began lining up as early as 90 minutes before the polls opened.
Barimukije Pheneas, one of the voters, expressed satisfaction with the orderly voting process and voiced strong support for Kagame.
Pheneas cited Kagame’s leadership in national development and reconciliation since the devastating 1994 genocide as reasons for his backing.
Kagame’s primary opponents in this election are Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana, both of whom also contested against him in the 2017 election.
Over 9 million eligible voters participated in the presidential and parliamentary elections held simultaneously.
Provisional results are anticipated to be announced by July 20.
Karangwa Vedaste, a motorcycle taxi driver, described the voting atmosphere as calm and peaceful, underscoring his confidence in the candidate he voted for.
Kagame, who secured nearly 99% of the vote in the previous election following a constitutional amendment allowing his candidacy, is credited with Rwanda’s remarkable economic progress.
However, his administration has faced criticism for restricting media freedom, stifling political opposition, and alleged involvement in regional conflicts.
Throughout his campaign, Kagame pledged to sustain the country’s development trajectory and ensure stability.
The Rwandan government has consistently denied accusations of human rights abuses, including concerns raised over a 2022 migration deal with the UK, which has since been revisited by the new British government.
As the election results unfold, Rwanda’s political future and the continuation of Kagame’s leadership are of significant interest both domestically and internationally.
Observers will closely monitor the electoral process and its aftermath to assess the country’s democratic progress and governance dynamics under Kagame’s enduring rule.
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