Description of Electoral System:

(Courtesy of IFES election guide)

The President is elected by popular vote to serve a 5-year term. In the Senate 34 members are elected to serve 5-year terms. In the National Assembly 100 members are elected by popular vote to serve 5-year terms. Additional seats are appointed to three ethnic Twas and to former chiefs of state; the minimum 30% women representation rule applies as well in the Senate. 100 members of the National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. Additional seats may be appointed by the National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure balance of ethnic representation. The Constitution mandated a 60-40% split between Hutus and Tutsis, respectively, and a minimum 30% representation of women.