President Paul Kagame has won the presidential election with a landslide, securing 99.15% of the votes according to preliminary results released by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
In Kigali, Kagame achieved an overwhelming 98.59%, while his opponents, Dr. Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana, garnered 0.96% and 0.44%, respectively.
Nationwide, Dr. Habineza received 0.53% of the vote, and Mpayimana obtained 0.32%, NEC Chairperson, Oda Gasinzigwa, announced in a televised address.
These figures demonstrate Kagame’s dominant position in the election and his continued popularity among Rwandans.
The NEC also announced that preliminary results for the general elections of the Chamber of Deputies will be released on the afternoon of July 16, 2024, followed by the provisional results for the special category elections later that evening.
The provisional results for both the presidential and parliamentary elections are set to be published on July 20, 2024.
The final official results will be announced by July 27, 2024.
President Kagame, who has been in power since 2000, continues to be a polarizing figure both domestically and internationally.
His administration is credited with transforming Rwanda into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, with significant improvements in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
In his victory speech, President Kagame expressed his gratitude to the Rwandan people for their overwhelming support and trust.
“This victory is a testament to the unity and resilience of our nation,” he said. “I am humbled by your confidence in my leadership, and I promise to continue working tirelessly for the development and prosperity of Rwanda.”
He also extended his thanks to his family for their continuous support throughout his political career.
“My family has been my pillar of strength, and I owe much of my success to their unwavering support,” Kagame added.
This election marks another milestone in Rwanda’s journey towards stability and growth. Under Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda has made significant strides in reconciliation and rebuilding, becoming a model of post-conflict recovery.
Observers from the African Union and other international bodies have monitored the election process, with initial reports indicating that the voting was conducted peacefully and efficiently. The high voter turnout, especially among the diaspora, underscores the engagement and commitment of Rwandans to their political process.
Presidential candidate Frank Habineza announced that he has accepted the preliminary election results and congratulated his opponent Paul Kagame for winning the election.
“We would like to announce that we accept the results as it has become clear that His Excellency Paul Kagame received more votes than us.”
Philippe Mpayimana had not made any statement by press time.
Looking ahead, President Kagame faces the challenge of addressing the remaining socio-economic disparities and ensuring that the country’s rapid development is inclusive.
His administration’s focus will likely continue on innovation, technology, security, sustainable development to further cement Rwanda’s position as a leader in Africa’s economic renaissance.
As Rwanda awaits the final results and the official inauguration, the nation remains poised for the next chapter under Kagame’s leadership.
Rwandans will now be expecting to see how Kagame navigates both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
