Rwandans interested in running for parliament as independent candidates in September elections will still have to contend with a rule that requires them to get at least five per cent of the votes cast, besides getting endorsement from at least 600 voters.

Even as independent candidates dismiss the requirements as “preventive, discouraging and favouring political parties,” the National Electoral Commission (NEC) insists the law will still apply in the September 2-4 parliamentary elections.

“The requirements are enshrined in the law. It is not the electoral commission that sets these requirements. There is a process that can be followed to change that,” said NEC chairman Prof Kalisa Mbanda.

“The five per cent threshold is a common standard in many countries. The 600 signatures are also not that difficult to get. It means an average of 20 people from each of the 30 districts. It is not too much to ask.”

So far, 16 people have expressed interest in running as independent candidates according to NEC.

Independents and some political parties have over the years argued that the current electoral regime discourages candidates not affiliated to the ruling party or other registered political parties from seeking election to the country’s parliament, as the five per cent threshold is almost impossible to achieve.

In 2013, Gilbert Mwenedata, who managed to raise 600 signatures to get on the ballot but failed to win a seat in parliament, said that the requirements make it “nearly impossible” for independent candidates to compete favourably.

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, the only opposition in the country, has previously petitioned parliament to amend the electoral law but without success.

According to the president of the Green Party, Frank Habineza, despite the amends to the electoral law which was passed in February, little has changed. He said that while the requirements seem achievable, it is difficult for independent candidates to attain the five per cent threshold.

“We wanted to see it reduced to two per cent for independents but our petition and subsequent requests were not honoured,” said Mr Habineza.

According to the Executive Secretary of NEC Charles Munyaneza, these requirements were set in the Constitution and can only be amended through a referendum after a petition is filed in parliament.

“To change the law, one has to amend the Constitution as we did in 2015. Those who want to change it could have done it then,” said Mr Munyaneza.

According to Prof Mbanda, the issue is often discussed at the national level whenever concerns emerge, and if the need to lower the requirements arises, it will be done but he added that the requirements and threshold are important because “not everyone can go to parliament.”

“It is possible for an independent candidate to meet the five per cent threshold. It has happened elsewhere. It helps to ensure that the people who make it to parliament truly deserve it. It is not up to everyone to wake up and say I want to go to parliament. You must earn it,” said Prof Mbanda.

The NEC chairman also said that the commission now had the over Rwf5 billion ($5.8 million) it needs to conduct the elections, which are solely funded by the government.

Aspirants will begin submitting their candidatures on July 12 until July 25. The provisional list will be announced on July 30, while the electoral commission will publish the final list on August 6.

Rwandans in the diaspora will vote for the 53 MPs on September 2. Rwandans living at home will vote on September 3.

A representative of persons with disabilities is elected a day earlier on September 2. Some 24 women representatives and two youth MPs will be elected on September 4.

Provisional results will be released by September 9.

The ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front is expected to dominate the polls. Last weekend, the party unveiled a list of 70 candidates from grassroots elections to be submitted to the NEC. The RPF has left 10 slots for smaller parties that were allied to the party during last year’s presidential election.

However, the RPF is guaranteed only 30 seats of the 53 seats available, while at least 10 women cadres will be sent to contest in the women’s council elections.

The Greens will be contesting for parliamentary seats for the first time. Mr Habineza said that the party is confident of capturing a significant number of seats, despite an underwhelming performance in last year’s presidential poll.