About the Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies is one of Chambers of the Parliament of Rwanda. It legislates and oversees the Executive action for and on behalf of the people of Rwanda.
 

Overview

The Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies debates and votes laws. It oversees Government activities.

The Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda has 80 members elected as follows:

  1. fifty-three (53) Deputies elected from a fixed list of names of candidates proposed by political organisations or independent candidates elected by direct universal suffrage based on proportional representation;
  2. twenty- four (24) women elected by specific electoral colleges following the national administrative entities
  3. two (2) Deputies elected by the National Youth Council;
  4. one (1) Deputy elected by the National Council of Persons with Disabilities.

However, the Law governing elections may increase or decrease the number of Deputies or their electoral categories. At least thirty per cent (30%) of Deputies must be women.

The Chamber of Deputies was established on October 10, 2003, after the transitional period.

The First legislature commenced in 2003 and ended in 2008;

The Second legislature commenced in 2008 and ended in 2013;

The Third legislature commenced in 2013 and ended in 2018;

The Fourth legislature commenced in 2018 and it was supposed to end in 2023 but due to the review of the Constitution,it ended in June 2024.

The Fifth legislature commenced in August 2024 and it will end in 2029.

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The Chamber of Deputies is composed of the following organs:

Plenary Assembly:

The Plenary Assembly is composed of all Deputies. It is the supreme and a decision making organ.

 

  • Conference of the Chairpersons

    The Conference of Chairpersons is composed of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies and Bureaus of the Standing Committees and the Bureau of the Committee in charge of Assessment of the Chamber of Deputies Activities, Deputies’ Conduct, Discipline and Immunity. It meets once a month and whenever necessary in attendance of at least three-fifths (3/5) of its members. It is convened and chaired by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies or his/her deputy in case of his/her absence. 

  • The Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies

    The Bureau is composed of the Speaker and two two (2) Deputy Speakers, one responsible for Parliamentary Affairs and another responsible for Finance and Administration.

  • Standing Committees

    The Standing Committee is an organ whereby matters are preliminarily examined and put on the agenda of the Plenary Assembly. Each Standing Committee has its responsibilities. The Chamber of Deputies is comprised of  nine(9) Standing Committees.

  • Committee in charge of Assessment of the Chamber of Deputies Activities, Deputies’ Conduct, Discipline and Immunity

    This Committee  consists of at least seven (7) Deputies elected in consideration, if possible, of political organisations and other different categories having representation in the Chamber of Deputies.

  • Office of the Clerk

    It is a technical organ of the Chamber of Deputies. It comprises the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Directorate Generals and general staff.