As Rwandans prepare to cast their votes in the general elections next month, they need to know why or how one's vote could be considered invalid.

According to the law, invalid ballot papers are not considered votes cast and are not considered in the calculation of the percentage of votes obtained by a candidate. The following are some of the circumstances under which one's vote can become invalid, according to Article 121 of the regulations of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) governing the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections:

A vote shall be deemed invalid if;

1. The ballot paper does not correspond to the prescribed ballot paper.
2. The ballot paper bears signs not provided by laws and regulations governing elections.
3. It does not clearly indicate the elected candidate.
4. The voter has disclosed his or her identity on the ballot paper.
5. Placed in a ballot box without indicating any choice of candidate.
6. If the ballot paper bears additions or other information not provided for by the law.
7. The ballot paper is used to vote for a candidate who withdrew his or her candidature.
8. Voter voted for a candidate who was disqualified.
9. A voter affixed his or her fingerprint or ticks between two candidates.
10. The number of candidates voted for exceeds the prescribed one.
11. The ballot paper is placed in a non-designated ballot box.

Article 122 of the NEC regulations governing the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections states that the vote is counted as a candidate's vote (valid vote) for a candidate if the voter affixes their fingerprint or ticks in the designated box.

The provisional electoral list estimates that slightly more than nine million Rwandans, including more than 62,000 from the diaspora, will participate in the polls.

The final list of voters will be published on June 29, the deadline for registration to vote.

Registering requires one to dial *169# on their phone and follow the prompts or through the website: amatora.nec.gov.rw.