Rwandan parliamentary election, 2008
Encyclopedia
A parliamentary election was held in Rwanda
from 15 September to 18 September 2008. There were 80 seats at stake in the Chamber of Deputies
, 53 directly elected and 27 indirectly elected. No opposition parties participated in the election. The election produced the world's first national legislative chamber with a female majority in a modern nation (equal male and female has not happened). The previous election had given it 48.75% females. This time, females secured 45 seats, 56.25%, the first time females were not in a minority.
The EU sent an election observation mission, as did the Commonwealth of Nations
, the African Union
, COMESA, and the East African Legislative Assembly
. The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front
(FPR) assembled a coalition which included six smaller parties: the Islamic Democratic Party
(PDI), the Christian Democratic Party
(PDC), the Party for Progress and Concord
(PPC), the Prosperity and Solidarity Party (PSP), the Democratic Union of the Rwandan People
(UPDR) and the Rwandese Socialist Party
(PSR). Aside from the FPR coalition, only two parties participated in the election: the Social Democratic Party
and the Liberal Party
. Since both of those parties supported President Paul Kagame
, there was no opposition participation in the election; the opposition parties remained in exile. In addition to the political parties, a single independent candidate stood in the election.
Campaigning for the election began on 25 August 2008. The day was marked by a march of about 2,000 FPR supporters through Kigali
. The United Democratic Forces opposition coalition, based in Belgium
, said that the FPR had total control of the state machinery and electoral process, making the election a mere "smoke screen".
The direct phase of voting for 53 seats occurred on 15 September. Voting was from 6 am to 3 pm. Kagame voted in the Nyarugenge
district of Kigali, and he said on this occasion that the people and the parties needed "to work together for national development". Chrysologue Karangwa, the head of the electoral commission, said on 16 September that the FPR won 42 seats, the Social Democratic Party won seven, and the Liberal Party won four.
The indirect phase of voting for 27 seats began on 16 September and ended on 18 September. These seats include 24 for women, while two are reserved for representatives of the youth and one is reserved for a representative of the disabled.
The newly elected deputies were sworn in on 6 October, and Rose Mukantabana was elected as President of the Chamber of Deputies, receiving 70 votes and defeating Abbas Mukama. Dennis Polisi was re-elected as First Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, and Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo
was elected as its Second Vice-President.
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
from 15 September to 18 September 2008. There were 80 seats at stake in the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the bicameral national legislature of Rwanda.It was created under the new Constitution adopted by referendum in 2003....
, 53 directly elected and 27 indirectly elected. No opposition parties participated in the election. The election produced the world's first national legislative chamber with a female majority in a modern nation (equal male and female has not happened). The previous election had given it 48.75% females. This time, females secured 45 seats, 56.25%, the first time females were not in a minority.
The EU sent an election observation mission, as did the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
, COMESA, and the East African Legislative Assembly
East African Legislative Assembly
The East African Legislative Assembly is a sub organ of the larger East African Community, being the Legislative arm of the Community. Members are sworn in to five-year terms.-History:...
. The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front
Rwandan Patriotic Front
The Rwandan Patriotic Front abbreviated as RPF is the current ruling political party of Rwanda, led by President Paul Kagame. It governs in a coalition with other parties...
(FPR) assembled a coalition which included six smaller parties: the Islamic Democratic Party
Islamic Democratic Party (Rwanda)
The Islamic Democratic Party is a political party in Rwanda. At the legislative elections, on 30 September 2003, the party won , 2 out of 53 seats....
(PDI), the Christian Democratic Party
Christian Democratic Party (Rwanda)
The Christian Democratic Party is a political party in Rwanda. At the last legislative elections on 30 September 2003, the party won 3 out of 53 seats. Mukabaranga Agnès is one of its leading members....
(PDC), the Party for Progress and Concord
Party for Progress and Concord
The Party for Progress and Concord is a political party in Rwanda. At the last legislative elections, on 30 September 2003, the party won 2.2% of the popular vote but no seats....
(PPC), the Prosperity and Solidarity Party (PSP), the Democratic Union of the Rwandan People
Democratic Union of the Rwandan People
The Democratic Union of the Rwandese People is a political party in Rwanda. At the last legislative elections, on 30 September 2003, the party won 1 out of 53 seats....
(UPDR) and the Rwandese Socialist Party
Rwandese Socialist Party
Rwandese Socialist Party is a pro-government political party in Rwanda. It was founded on 18 August 1991 and favors land reform.At the last legislative elections, on 30 September 2003, the party won 1 out of 53 seats....
(PSR). Aside from the FPR coalition, only two parties participated in the election: the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Rwanda)
The Social Democratic Party is a centre-left Social democratic political party in Rwanda. In the parliamentary election held on 30 September 2003, the party won 12.3% of the popular vote and 7 out of 53 seats...
and the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Rwanda)
The Liberal Party is a political party in Rwanda that adheres to Liberalism. Higiro Prosper is the party's chairperson.The Liberal Party supported President Paul Kagame in the 2003 presidential election. In the parliamentary election held on 30 September 2003, the party won 10.6% of the popular...
. Since both of those parties supported President Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame is the sixth and current President of the Republic of Rwanda. He rose to prominence as the leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front , whose victory over the incumbent government in July 1994 effectively ended the Rwandan genocide...
, there was no opposition participation in the election; the opposition parties remained in exile. In addition to the political parties, a single independent candidate stood in the election.
Campaigning for the election began on 25 August 2008. The day was marked by a march of about 2,000 FPR supporters through Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
. The United Democratic Forces opposition coalition, based in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, said that the FPR had total control of the state machinery and electoral process, making the election a mere "smoke screen".
The direct phase of voting for 53 seats occurred on 15 September. Voting was from 6 am to 3 pm. Kagame voted in the Nyarugenge
Nyarugenge
Nyarugenge is a district in Kigali Province, Rwanda. It is based around the city centre of Kigali , and contains most of the city's businesses.- Sectors :...
district of Kigali, and he said on this occasion that the people and the parties needed "to work together for national development". Chrysologue Karangwa, the head of the electoral commission, said on 16 September that the FPR won 42 seats, the Social Democratic Party won seven, and the Liberal Party won four.
The indirect phase of voting for 27 seats began on 16 September and ended on 18 September. These seats include 24 for women, while two are reserved for representatives of the youth and one is reserved for a representative of the disabled.
The newly elected deputies were sworn in on 6 October, and Rose Mukantabana was elected as President of the Chamber of Deputies, receiving 70 votes and defeating Abbas Mukama. Dennis Polisi was re-elected as First Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, and Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo
Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo
Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo is a Rwandan politician who was appointed Minister of Health in 2006, and was a candidate in the 2010 Rwandan presidential elections....
was elected as its Second Vice-President.