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Rwanda

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes

Source: EU election observation mission report 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:27:51 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
g. Other

Source: Art.23 de la loi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:27:51 UTC

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
d. Electoral management body

Source: EU election observation mission report 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:27:51 UTC

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Hanna Berheim
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: International IDEA

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
b. Optional referendum

Comments: C:6 "(2) National sovereignty shall belong to the people of Rwanda which shall exercise it through representatives or by means of referendum." C:44 "The President of the Republic: "6) shall negotiate, conclude, and ratify all international treaties, conventions, and agreements, whether of public or private law, and send them to the National Assembly as soon as allowed by the State's interest and security. However, [...] - treaties, conventions, and agreements involving financial implications not anticipated in the budget, shall be enforceable only following approval by law. The federation of the Republic of Rwanda with one or several other democratic States must be approved by means of a referendum;" C:47 "The President of the Republic may, on the advice of the Government and the National Assembly, submit to a referendum any bill or any other matter."
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 6:2, 44 and 47
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:48:21 UTC

DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional

Comments: C:6 "(2) National sovereignty shall belong to the people of Rwanda which shall exercise it through representatives or by means of referendum." C:44 "The President of the Republic: "6) shall negotiate, conclude, and ratify all international treaties, conventions, and agreements, whether of public or private law, and send them to the National Assembly as soon as allowed by the State's interest and security. However, [...] - treaties, conventions, and agreements involving financial implications not anticipated in the budget, shall be enforceable only following approval by law. The federation of the Republic of Rwanda with one or several other democratic States must be approved by means of a referendum;"
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 6:2 and 44
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:48:21 UTC

DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional

Comments: C:6 "(2) National sovereignty shall belong to the people of Rwanda which shall exercise it through representatives or by means of referendum." C:47 "The President of the Republic may, on the advice of the Government and the National Assembly, submit to a referendum any bill or any other matter."
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 6:2 and 47
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:48:21 UTC

DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD08 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for mandatory referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
a. Constitutional

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD09 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for optional referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
a. Constitutional

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD10 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for citizens' initiatives at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD11 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for agenda initiatives at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD12 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for recalls at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:39:15 UTC

DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level? Date (yyyy)

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
j. Other (specify)

Comments: j) Creation of a federation with other states. C:44 "The President of the Republic: "6) shall negotiate, conclude, and ratify all international treaties, conventions, and agreements, whether of public or private law, and send them to the National Assembly as soon as allowed by the State's interest and security. However, [...] - treaties, conventions, and agreements involving financial implications not anticipated in the budget, shall be enforceable only following approval by law. The federation of the Republic of Rwanda with one or several other democratic States must be approved by means of a referendum;"
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 44
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:48:21 UTC

DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Adoption of international treaties
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
d. National sovereignty, national self-determination
e. Conflict between constitutional organs
f. Devolution
g. Civil service
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
i. Other public policy issues

Comments: C:47 "The President of the Republic may, on the advice of the Government and the National Assembly, submit to a referendum any bill or any other matter."
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 47
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:45:31 UTC

DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
j. Other (specify)

Comments: j) Matters concerning the creation of a federation with other states, which implies mandatory referendum.
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 44
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:45:31 UTC

DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
c. President

Comments: C:47 "The President of the Republic may, on the advice of the Government and the National Assembly, submit to a referendum any bill or any other matter."
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 47
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:33:33 UTC

DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
a. Always

Comments: C:44 "The President of the Republic: "6) shall negotiate, conclude, and ratify all international treaties, conventions, and agreements, whether of public or private law, and send them to the National Assembly as soon as allowed by the State's interest and security. However, [...] - treaties, conventions, and agreements involving financial implications not anticipated in the budget, shall be enforceable only following approval by law. The federation of the Republic of Rwanda with one or several other democratic States must be approved by means of a referendum;"
Source: The 2003 Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, art. 44
Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:41:48 UTC

DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

DD84 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a recall? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2006-12-31 16:31:30 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution "National Electoral Commission of Rwanda
b. Full Address P.O. Box 6449 Kigali / Rwanda
c. Telephone 00 250 501136 / 515080/81/82
d. Facsimile 00250 501045
e. Email [email protected]
f. Website Address http://www.comelena.gov.rw/
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Karangwa Chrysologue
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Français

Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:03:09 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level
c. Local level

Source: EMB homepage: http://www.comelena.gov.rw/english/mission.html
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:03:09 UTC

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years

Comments: b) For a term of three years.
Source: International IDEA (2006) "Election Management Design"
Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:26:15 UTC

EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:26:15 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:26:15 UTC

EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:26:15 UTC

EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:26:15 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)

Comments: Elu au suffrage universel direct à la majorité relative pour un mandat de sept ans.
Source: Art.100 et 101 de la Constitution du 04 juin 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:03:33 UTC

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
e. Appointed

Source: Art.116 de la Constitution du 04 juin 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:32:58 UTC

ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes

Comments: Paul Kagamé est l'actuel président de la République du Rwanda. Il a été porté au pouvoir par la révolution du Front Patriotique Rwandais (FPR) en juillet 1994 et élu président de la République le 25 août 2003.
Source: mémoireonline et rapport de Human_rights.
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:41:10 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers

Source: Art.62 de la Constitution du 04 juin 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:42:47 UTC

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation

Source: Art.151 de la Constitution du 04 juin 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:43:59 UTC

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:

Last updated: 2008-01-29 13:50:54 UTC

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:

Last updated: 2008-01-29 13:50:54 UTC

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation
d. Regulations or administrative rules

Comments: d) Issued by the EMB
Source: EU Election observation mission to Rwanda 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf Constitution du 04 juin 2003 et la loi électorale N° 17/2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:56:47 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections

Comments: La loi organique porte sue les élections présidentielles et législatives
Source: Loi organique N° 14/2003 du 7 juillet 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:49:06 UTC

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
b. Voting is compulsory and regulated in the electoral law

Comments: Est électeur tout rwandais enrôlé
Source: Article 11 de la loi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:55:30 UTC

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
a. Judiciary

Comments: a) The Supreme Court
Source: EU Election observation mission to Rwanda 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf Art.98 de la loi organique 17/2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 11:56:47 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X

Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising
Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf
Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
c. No

Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf
Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:55:01 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)

Comments: Au moins 600 signatures citoyens rwandais enregistrés
Source: Art.23 de la loi organique.
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:48:39 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
c. Regional distribution requirement
f. Other

Source: Art.83, 86 de la Constitution du 4 juin 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:50:36 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
f. Registration

Comments: a)21 ans
Source: Art.21 de la loi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 15:26:53 UTC

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
j. Other

Comments: a) Being at least forty years old; j) Being an inararibonye (higly skilled person); having irreproachable morals and probity; not having been deprived of civil and political rights.
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2376.htm Art.32 de la loi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 15:26:53 UTC

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections

Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf Art.23, 24 de la loi organique et Art.84-1°-4° et 5° de la Constitution du 4 juin 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 15:26:53 UTC

Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations

Comments: Le bureau de vote devient bureau de dépouillement
Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf Art.65 de la loi organique.
Last updated: 2008-01-31 13:01:29 UTC

VC16 If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 15:24:36 UTC

Voter Education

VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body

Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf
Last updated: 2007-02-07 14:56:27 UTC

Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
d. At specially designated polling stations

Comments: Le nombre de bureaux de vote est fixé par la Commission Electorale Indépendante.
Source: Art.41 de la loi organique.
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:38:48 UTC

VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
d. Members of the armed forces
e. Students
f. Diplomatic staff

Comments: Possible for all voters abroad.
Source: International IDEA research, January 2007
Last updated: 2007-02-02 09:59:44 UTC

VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
a. Embassies

Source: Art.63 de lal loi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:41:18 UTC

VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 09:59:44 UTC

VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot

Source: Art.63 de la loi électorale du 7 juillet 2003
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:46:21 UTC

VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 09:59:44 UTC

VO13 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the presiding polling officer for the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 09:59:44 UTC

VO14 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the other polling officials for the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 09:59:44 UTC

Voter Registration

VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18

Comments: 18 years
Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:34:36 UTC

VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship

Comments: Jouissance des droits civiques et politiques
Source: EU election observation mission report, 2003: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/rwanda/moe_ue_final_2003.pdf Art.5 de laloi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:34:36 UTC

VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)

Source: Art.12 et 17 de la loi organique
Last updated: 2008-01-31 12:34:36 UTC

VR08 Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
a. Yes

Source: Maria Gratschew, Voter turnout project, International IDEA
Last updated: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 09:35:09 GMT

VR09 Approximately what percentage (on the basis of cost) of registration supplies and equipment are obtained or produced within the country?

Last updated: 2007-02-07 15:15:14 UTC

May 20, 2008 08:19 AM