Emmanuel OchayiKagame Leads with 99.15% of Votes
President Paul Kagame is on course to extend his 24-year rule by another five years in a landslide victory in Rwanda election, according to partial results from Monday’s election.
With about 79% of ballots counted, Kagame has secured 99.15% of the vote, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKagame thanked Rwandans for their trust in an address at his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party headquarters, saying, “These are not just figures.
Even if it was 100%, these are not just numbers. [They] show the trust, and that is what is most important.”
High Voter Turnout
The NEC reported a massive 98% voter turnout, highlighting the election’s significance.
NEC Chairperson, Oda Gasinzigwa, stated, “The electoral process happened in a safe and transparent atmosphere for both Rwandans living abroad and those at home.”
Opposition Marginalised
Kagame faced no meaningful opposition, with leading figures banned from running.
His two opponents, environmentalist Frank Habineza and ex-journalist Philippe Mpayimana, shared less than 1% of the vote, receiving 0.53% and 0.32%, respectively.
Habineza expressed his frustration, stating, “The results are no surprise. The election process was heavily biased from the start.”
Breakdown of Votes by Region
National Level
- Kagame: 7,099,810 votes
- Habineza: 38,301 votes
- Mpayimana: 22,753 votes
Northern Province
- Kagame: 99.65% of 1,151,970 votes
- Habineza: 0.27%
- Mpayimana: 0.08%
Eastern Province
- Kagame: 99.3% of 1,766,799 votes
- Habineza: 0.66%
- Mpayimana: 0.05%
Western Province
- Kagame: 99.6% of 1,607,932 votes
- Mpayimana: 0.29%
- Habineza: 0.11%
Southern Province
- Kagame: 98.6% of 1,615,265 votes
- Habineza: 0.73%
- Mpayimana: 0.67%
City of Kigali
- Kagame: 98.59% of 978,223 votes
- Habineza: 0.96%
- Mpayimana: 0.44%
Diaspora
- Kagame: 95.4% of 40,675 votes
- Mpayimana: 2.45%
- Habineza: 2.15%
Historical Context and Future Implications
This election mirrors the 2017 outcome, where Kagame won with 98.8% of the vote. At least three aspirants, including Diane Rwigara, were disqualified from running.
Kagame has been the de facto leader of Rwanda since the end of the 1994 genocide and president since 2000.
Rights groups accuse him of curtailing freedoms, while supporters credit him with economic growth and ending ethnic divisions.
The election also included voting for 53 legislators, with elections for 27 special seats for women, young people, and people with disabilities taking place on Tuesday.
As Rwanda awaits the final results, expected by July 27, the current numbers suggest a continuation of Kagame’s presidency.
This likely extension of his rule will shape the country’s future, with supporters and critics closely watching his next moves.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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