Rwanda has announced the timetable for its 2026 local government elections, setting in motion a nationwide process to select grassroots leaders and representatives for key decentralised institutions.

According to the Ministry of Local Government, the electoral process will run from October 24 to November 30, 2026, covering village, cell, sector and district levels, alongside elections for the National Women’s Council, National Youth Council and National Council of Persons with Disabilities.

The first major voting date is October 24, when elections will take place at village level. Cell-level elections are scheduled for October 31, followed by sector-level elections on November 7.

The process will then move to district-level contests. Candidates for District Council seats are scheduled to campaign from November 7 to 21, with key elections taking place on November 17, 21 and 24. On November 24, District Council members will elect the Council Bureau and District Executive Committee, including the mayor and two vice mayors.

The election calendar places local leadership and community representation in the spotlight, as voters and council members prepare to select officials responsible for governance and development at different administrative levels.

The process also includes leadership elections for national councils representing women, young people and persons with disabilities. Their executive committees are scheduled to be elected on November 30, while the full composition of the councils is expected to be completed by December 15.

The coming weeks will be important for Rwanda’s decentralised governance system, with the election process determining who will hold local leadership responsibilities and represent communities in the next cycle.

Citizens should consult official electoral authorities for applicable voting procedures, eligibility requirements and any further updates to the timetable.