Subject to provisions of the Rwandan Constitution, Article 82 of the 2003 Constitution, former heads of state are permitted to be members of the senate for a term of 8years however this is not in favor of the 5th Rwandan president Pasteur Bizimungu who lead the country from 19th July 1994 to 23rd march 2000 when he resigned.
Shortly after his resignation, Pasteur Bizimungu was convicted of serious crimes that threatened National Security and in July 2004 was sentenced to 15years in jail by the Supreme Court.
These crimes are what striped off his rights to join the Rwandan senate any time as told by the chairman of the Rwandan Electro Commission Prof.
Karangwa Chrysologue who said that Bizimungu was charged with serious offenses to the extent that he cannot be allowed a sit in the senate.
In a press conference with journalists this Friday Prof. Karangwa said “Our National Constitution permits former presidents to sit in the senate only if their term in office is not accused of grievances. But it’s not a guarantee that they will serve in the senate because they have to publicly request for it.”
Our constitution obliges former presidents who wish to join the senate to submit his candidature to the Supreme Court which will then decide on whether to give a green light to the candidate.
In 2007 Pasteur Bizimungu was released on presidential pardon after serving 3years.
On the other side, the commission noted that the campaigns for the senatorial aspirants in general went as planned and well with 58 candidates contesting for the 14 seats in the senate.
The election event is scheduled today Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th September 2011 with 12 candidates from their respective Provinces and the rest from public and private universities.
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