At the invitation of the Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission of Rwanda, Professor Kalisa Mbanda, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Kamalesh Sharma, constituted an Expert Team for the Rwanda Legislative Elections (Chamber of Deputies) scheduled from 16th to 18th September 2013.

The 16–18 September 2013 elections were the third parliamentary elections in the history of postgenocide Rwanda after the adoption of the Constitution in 2003. The Expert Team were conscious of the unique history of Rwanda, and the ever-present legacy of the 1994 genocide, which cost the lives of around one million Rwandans in just one hundred days. The Expert Team’s assessment of Rwanda’s current electoral arrangements was viewed in this unique historical context.

The legal framework governing legislative elections in Rwanda consists of various laws including the 2003 Constitution, Law No 37/2013 of 16/06/2013, Modifying and Complementing Law No 27/2010 of 19/06/2010 relating to elections as modified and complemented to date; and Instructions of the National Electoral Commission No 03/2013 of 23/07/2013: Governing Legislative Elections, Chamber of Deputies September 2013.

The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) is the legal authority with responsibility for registering political parties. The RGB was established in 2011, and according to its website, it also has responsibility ‘to promote the principles of good governance and decentralisation, monitor the practices of good governance in public and private institutions and conduct research related to governance for achieving good service delivery, sustainable development and prosperity.’

Polling stations are determined in accordance with the provisions of Article 31 of the 2010 Electoral Law as amended and the Article 11 of Law No. 37/2013 of 16/06/2013 modifying and complementing law which provides that ‘polling stations and rooms must be set up in public buildings or facilities in which public services are provided and in any other places as determined by the National Electoral Commission’.

This was the third legislative election conducted in Rwanda since the 2003 Constitution. It represents an important step in the evolving electoral system of the Republic. As Rwanda consolidates its democracy, no doubt further adjustments to its electoral model will be necessary.