The law was passed by the Chamber of Deputies on Friday, May 8, 2026, after lawmakers reviewed and adopted amendments proposed by the Senate. The legislation is expected to reshape local governance and electoral procedures ahead of future elections in Rwanda.

One of the most notable changes introduced by the new law is the replacement of direct elections for District and Kigali City councilors with an indirect electoral system.

Previously, citizens directly voted for members of District Councils and Kigali City Council during local elections. Under the newly approved law, those leaders will instead be elected through electoral colleges made up of representatives chosen at lower administrative levels.

According to lawmakers, the reform is intended to improve efficiency in organizing elections and reduce the cost and logistical burden associated with repeatedly mobilizing the population for local polls.

During parliamentary discussions, legislators explained that District Councils currently consist of a relatively small number of elected officials, making indirect elections more practical while still maintaining citizen representation through local administrative structures.

The law also provides that details regarding the composition of the electoral colleges and the procedures to be followed will be determined through a Presidential Order in the future.

Parliament stated that the changes are part of broader efforts to modernize Rwanda’s electoral framework and align election management with the country’s long-term governance and development strategies, including Vision 2050 and the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

Lawmakers further noted that the reforms were informed by experiences from previous elections, recommendations from institutions involved in electoral management, and the need to harmonize different laws governing elections in Rwanda.

Another important provision in the new legislation concerns by-elections for local leaders who leave office before the end of their terms.

Under previous regulations, authorities could organize by-elections if the remaining term exceeded six months. However, the new law extends that period to one year, meaning by-elections will only be held if more than one year remains in the term of office.

Officials said the change is expected to help reduce unnecessary election-related expenses and improve administrative planning.

The adoption of the law demonstrates Rwanda’s continued efforts to strengthen institutions, improve governance systems, and ensure electoral processes remain efficient and organized.

The Electoral Commission and other relevant institutions are expected to provide further guidance on the implementation of the new electoral reforms in the coming months.

According to Rwanda’s Parliament, the revised law was designed to ensure consistency with the Constitution while promoting transparency, accountability, and effective representation in local governance systems.