EC Commends Media Role On National Voters' Register Exercise

The Electoral Commission of Uganda has applauded media for dessemonating information on the ongoing national voters' register update and registration exercise. 

The electoral commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byamukama Mugenyi noted that media is playinv a pivotal role in the entire electoral process of raising awareness, informing and mobilizing the population to participate in the on going electoral exercise which has began with the national voters' register updating and registration the is expected to be concluded on 10th February 2025.

"I wish to express our appreciation as the Commission for the role you play in the entire electoral process, of raising awareness, providing information, mobilising the population to participate, and also raising issues that require attention by all key stakeholders to ensure that Ugandans have free, fair, and peaceful elections. The Commission considers, you, and the media as critical partners in every step of implementing the General Elections Roadmap".Said the Commission Boss Justice Byabakama. 

This comes at a time when the commission has just released the program to hold a by- election in Kawempe North Division formally represented by Late Muhammad Seggirinya who passed away on 9th January 2025 and the Lazo - Angola ward councillor in Kawempe Division, Kampala City that shows the 13th March as the poling date. 

About the Progress of the Exercise for General Update of the National Voters Register.

 On Monday, 20thJanuary 2025, the Electoral Commission commenced the exercise of the General Update of the National Voters Register. This is done in compliance with Article 61 (1)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176).

The purpose of this general update exercise is to enable eligible Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who are not yet registered as voters, to do so.

The person intending to register as a voter is required to turn up in person at an update centre in his/her parish of residence or origin, to provide his/her details, have their photograph taken, and the signature and fingerprints captured.

 The exercise is also meant to enable registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations, to apply for such transfer.

A voter who wishes to transfer to a new voting location must present confirmation that he/she originates from or is, at the time of application for transfer, a resident of the Parish of that (new) voting location.

Such applicants are required to present details of their previous voting location.

A person who wishes to apply for transfer of his or her voting location is free to present himself/herself at any of the update centres.

 During this exercise, registered voters are able to check and confirm that their particulars are correct and that they appear on the Voters Register at the voting locations that they indicated during registration.

The exercise will further enable registered voters to confirm the accuracy of their particulars on the Voters Register and correct any error(s) that may be identified in their details on the Register.

 To facilitate this confirmation, the Commission is availing the Register of each polling station at each update station within the respective Parish/Ward.

At the same time, registered voters can also verify their voting details from the Electoral Commission website: ec.or.ug/register.