Parliament Decides Fate Of 2003 Constitution This Wednesday
The Chamber of Deputies will on the morning of this Wednesday vote on the draft of the revised Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as amended to date.
Among the changes that will come into force is amendment of Article 101 on presidential term limits. The draft to be voted removes the seven-year term limit.
It is seen as a defining moment in the history of Rwanda as the plenary sitting indefinitely decides the fate of the constitution after 96% of MPs on October 12 voted in favour of a bill seeking to amend the current constitution.
While the public remains anxious, the outcome of the voting is regarded as an answer to a popular public demand to abolish presidential term limits and scrapping off or amends of some provisions.
After the vote in the 80-member chamber, the new changes will be sent on to the upper house, the 26-member Senate.
If approved, a referendum will be held as early as before end of the year as per estimates of time-lines set for popular votes.
Other proposals in the draft constitution before the House is a requirement to outline all benefits people living with disabilities must be granted by the state.
It means that even needs such as braille for the blind will be a constitutional obligation.
Should President PaulKagame also decide in favour of the more than 3.8m petitioners who want him to continue being leader of Rwanda, under new changes, he can be president for many more years past 2017 when his second and last term expires.
