Parliamentary elections were held in Rwanda on 28 December 1981, the first since 1969.
The country was still a one-party state, but now, the National Revolutionary Movement for Development is the sole legal party in place of MDR-Parmehutu, following the 1978 constitutional referendum.
A new constitution created the National Development Council, a 64-seat national legislature.
Two candidates contested each constituency.
[1] Voter turnout was 96%.