David Maraga, former Chief Justice of Kenya, has been selected by the East African Community (EAC) to head the election observation team in Rwanda.
In a news briefing on Friday in Kigali, EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva revealed that Maraga’s task will be to lead 55 observers across the country to monitor how the elections are carried out in accordance with the present laws.
Rwanda is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024.
The observation team will be responsible for monitoring the election preparation process, election days, and the declaration of winners.
The team will then be asked to submit a detailed report outlining significant components of the election process.
“It is therefore my sole honour this morning to officially announce to the people of Rwanda that, within my mandate, I have appointed Chief Justice (emeritus) David Moraga of Kenya to lead the EAC election observation mission to the Rwanda general election 2024,” she said.
“We’re expecting that this mission will go out in the various part of the four provinces of Rwanda and why we’re here is just to ensure that we observe international law and practices. Rwanda has its own procedures for elections. For us, it’s just to monitor how the elections are conducted in line with the existing laws of the land. More importantly we offer a shoulder as a partner state.”
Following the announcement, Maraga noted that a peaceful and successful general election would be a success for the entire East African Community.
“The team will be assessing the level of compliance with the electoral processes and management to the international, regional and national established laws, principles and practices,” he remarked.
According to Maraga, the observation team will also be assessing adherence to the democratic principles of the EAC as enshrined in the Treaty; and offering objective recommendations for continuous improvement for the conduct of such elections.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame seeks a fourth term in office against two opposition candidates, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana.
