The major recurring elections in Rwanda on a national level are the election of the President of Rwanda, which recurs after seven years, and the election of the Parliament of Rwanda (Inteko Ishinga Amategeko or Parlement).
The parliament has two chambers: The Chamber of Deputies (Umutwe w'Abadepite or Chambre des Députés) with 80 members. 53 members are elected for a five-year term by proportional representation with a 5% burden, 24 female members are elected by provincial councils, 2 by the National Youth Council, and 1 by the Federation of the Associations of the Disabled. The Senate (Umutwe wa Sena or Sénat) has 26 members elected or appointed for an eight-year term: 12 elected by provincial and sectoral councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Forum of Political Formations, and 2 elected by the staff of the universities. Former presidents can request to be member of the senate.
The last election in Rwanda involved two party chiefs being accused of charges of inciting ethnic hatred and genocide ideology. Three parties were not permitted to field candidates due to registration related problems. A journalist critical of the government was shot in the head and senior member of the Democratic Green Party was beheaded. Rwanda is rated "Not Free" by the Freedom House Watch
Read more about Elections In Rwanda: Latest Elections, Next Elections
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“In my public statements I have earnestly urged that there rested upon government many responsibilities which affect the moral and spiritual welfare of our people. The participation of women in elections has produced a keener realization of the importance of these questions and has contributed to higher national ideals. Moreover, it is through them that our national ideals are ingrained in our children.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)