Diane Nshimiyimana Rwigara’s hopes for Rwanda
presidency have ended after the country’s electoral
commission rejected her bid Friday.
Incumbent President Paul Kagame will now only be challenged by Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate.
The Electoral Commission announced that Rwigara couldn’t qualify after failing to submit required signatures.
Last week, Rwanda’s electoral commission released provisional list that only had the two candidates endorsed by their political party; President Kagame and Habineza, with the other four asked to fulfill further requirements.
Among the requirements the electoral commission demanded were that every aspirant who was not endorsed by a political party to gain the confidence of at least 600 registered voters within the country, including at least 12 signatures from each of the 30 districts of the country.
Rwigara, a daughter of a prominent businessman who was killed in an accident a few years ago, had more than 600 signatures but did not meet the district quotas, the electoral commission said.
The candidates were given until July 6 to fulfill the
requirement ahead of the final list today.
