Rwanda: Strong youth turnout expected in parliamentary election

by Frank Matthew designer

Rwanda's youth look set to make a strong showing in the country's parliamentary elections this weekend. A large number of the 512 candidates vying for the 80 seats in the parliament in Kigali are under the age of 25, while 200,000 more are among the registered voters.

At 23, Jessica Mutesi of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) will face off against candidates who are three times older than herself. "I decided to stand because I was confident and I wanted to try my luck when I am still young," she told DW. "I want to encourage other young people to not fear trying."

If elected, Mutesi plans to ensure there will be penalties for men who impregnate teenage girls, forcing them to drop out of school. "I want those girls to continue their education and prepare for their future," she says.
Political expert Pontian Kabera says the political participation of young Rwandans is a good sign, although he is skeptical of their chances of being elected.
"It shows that the political space in our country has changed and that there is space for the youth to participate in the country's decision-making bodies," Kabera told DW.

Many of the young people who are entering politics in Rwanda have done so via smaller or lesser-known parties.

"One would ask what [are] the chances of these youths coming up from these parties,

Source: electionresult.co