Election observers in Rwanda have been reminded to document irregularities accurately and report their findings through official channels rather than interfering in electoral activities.
The warning came from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) during a training session organised by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) on Monday, October 19, 2026, ahead of the country’s local government elections.
NEC Commissioner Fortunée Nyiramadirida said observers must understand their responsibilities and operate within the rules governing election monitoring.
“Observers should avoid providing inaccurate information. They should document anything they see going wrong in their reports, while refraining from interfering in the elections,” she said.
Nyiramadirida explained that observer reports help NEC assess the conduct of elections and identify areas that need improvement in future electoral processes.
The training brought together representatives of civil society organisations, NEC and other stakeholders involved in election observation.
Marie Christine Umubyeyi, Director of Human Rights Protection and Monitoring Unit at NCHR, said observers should be allowed to carry out their work freely while respecting electoral laws and the rights of others.
She said monitoring should cover compliance with electoral procedures, protection of voters’ and candidates’ rights, and the handling of complaints and appeals.
Umubyeyi also stressed the importance of providing observers with the necessary accreditation and materials on time so they can perform their duties effectively.
Silas Nkusi, a representative of a civil society organisation promoting good governance in Africa, said his organisation welcomed NEC’s decision to allow its observers to operate across the country rather than limiting them to one district.
He said the organisation intended to pay particular attention to the participation of persons with disabilities and other citizens who may face barriers during elections.
The local government elections begin at village level on October 24, with further voting scheduled at cell and sector levels on October 31 and November 7, respectively.
The election process will continue with district-level polls and elections for representatives of women, youth and persons with disabilities. The official calendar provides for the completion of the wider process in stages through December 15.
The training was intended to strengthen observers’ understanding of the law and their role in supporting transparent election monitoring without disrupting the work of election officials.
