IPU Logo    INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
   HOME -> PARLINE -> RWANDA (Sénat)
Print this pagePrint this page
PARLINE database new searchNew search
RWANDA
Sénat (Senate )

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parliament / Parlement
More photos  >>>
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Sénat / Senate
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Chambre des Députés / Chamber of Deputies
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 1971-1973
1982-1994
1995 -
LEADERSHIP
President Bernard Makuza (M) 
Notes Elected on 14 Oct. 2014.
Secretary General Sosthène Cyitatire (M) 
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 26 / 26
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


More statistics  >>>
Women (current number) 10 (38.46%)
Mode of designation indirectly elected 14
appointed 12
Notes Indirectly elected members: includes:
- 12 members (one per Province and the City of Kigali) indirectly elected by members of the Executive Committees of Sectors and District, Municipality, Town or City Councils.
- Two university lecturers indirectly elected by the academic and research staff of public and private universities and institutions of higher education.
Appointed members: includes
- Eight members appointed by the President
- Four members appointed by the Forum of Political Organizations
At least 30 per cent of members must be women.
In addition, former Heads of State become members of the Senate upon their request.
Term 8 years (with the exception of former Heads of State)
Last renewal dates 26 September 2011
27 September 2011 (View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Sénat
B.P. 6729
KIGALI
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (250) 252 594 538
252 594 500
Fax (250) 252 594 583
E-mail info@parliament.gov.rw
Website
http://www.rwandaparliament.gov.rw
http://www.inteko.gov.rw/
http://www.parliament.gov.rw/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parliament / Parlement
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Sénat / Senate
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Chambre des Députés / Chamber of Deputies
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 7 July 2003
Mode of designation indirectly elected 14
appointed 12
Constituencies (information non available)
Voting system : Members of the Senate shall be citizens of impeccable character possessing the qualities of "inararibonye" who are elected or appointed objectively on the basis of individual merit without regard to political affiliation. They shall be highly skilled in the fields of science, law, economics, politics, sociology, culture or be persons who have held senior positions in the public or private sectors.
Former Heads of State who honourably completed their terms or voluntarily resigned from office become members of the Senate by submitting a request to the Supreme Court.
With regard to Senators elected by the Executive Committees of Sectors, District, Municipality, Town and City Councils, a candidate to be elected must receive an absolute majority of the votes cast during the first round or failing, that a simple majority in the second round which must be organized immediately after the first round.
In the event of an elected Senator's resignation, death, impeachment by a court of law or permanent absence from the Senate on account of any reason when his or her term has a year or more to run, fresh elections are held. In the case of an appointed Senator, the organ which appointed him or her shall determine his or her replacement.
Voter requirements (information non available)
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - being an inararibonye (higly skilled person);
- having irreproachable morals and probity;
- not having been deprived of civil and political rights;
- being at least forty years old;
- not having been sentenced by a court of last instance to a term of imprisonment of six months or more in respect of which there has been no amnesty or rehabilitation.
Incompatibilities No one shall at the same time be a member of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
The office of a Parliamentarian shall not be compatible with being a member of the Cabinet.
Candidacy requirements (information non available)

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Parliament / Parlement
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Sénat / Senate
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Chambre des Députés / Chamber of Deputies
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) (from/to)26 September 2011
27 September 2011
Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the indirectly elected seats in the Senate (14) on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.
Not applicable - indirect elections.
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Distribution of votes
Distribution of seats
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
16

10

38.46%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Note on the number of women
- After the September 2011 renewal, there were 10 women out of a total of 26 senators.
- Between September and October 2012, six new senators were appointed: four by the President and two by the Forum of Political Organizations. They were sworn in on 10 October to replace six outgoing senators whose eight-year term had expired. The new senators comprised three men and three women. As at 15 October 2012, there were 10 women senators.
Source: Senate (15.10.2012)

This page was last updated on 29 October 2014
Copyright 1996-2013 Inter-Parliamentary Union