The Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama has flagged-off the updating of the National Voters Register exercise in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
The update exercise will be conducted from 20th January to 10th February 2025 at update stations as shall be publicized for each of the 10,717 parishes/wards throughout Uganda, starting from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm every day, including weekends.
Justice Byabakama said that for the young people who would have not reached the age of 18 by February 10th, 2025, they will not be registered as voters for the 2026 elections.
The Commission spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, said that the purpose of the update exercise is to enable eligible Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who are not yet registered as voters, to do so. The exercise will also enable registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations to apply for such transfer.
“The update of the National Voters Register is very significant because it is through this exercise that the country and the Commission will generate a credible National Voters Register. Remember that, to be able to be a voter, to be able to be a candidate, to be able to be an agent of a candidate, or to be able to raise a petition in the event that there is an election matter, you must first and foremost be a registered voter, and you must be on the National Voters Register.
So, it is critical and significant that for any citizen of Uganda that is eligible, to be able to exercise their rights under Article 59 of the constitution, which grants the right to vote, you must be on the National Voters Register,” Mucunguzi said.
A person who is already registered as a voter anywhere in Uganda does not need to register again. The update exercise will enable such registered voters to check and confirm that their particulars are correct and appear on the Voters Register at the voting locations that they indicated during registration.
During the exercise, students who were registered by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and have since attained the age of 18 years will be able to present their particulars, that is, the National Identification Number (NIN), for updating and assignment of a polling station within their parish of residence or origin.
“During this exercise, which will take place across the country in all parishes, the following will happen: Those citizens who are eligible and have never registered as voters will have an opportunity to register as voters.
Those who are already registered voters but they want to check their particulars and the correctness of their particulars (names, photographs and any other particulars) will have the opportunity to come, check their particulars and ensure that they are correct.
There are those who are on the voters register, but they want to transfer from one polling location to another; they will have an opportunity to do so. Students who were registered by NIRA under a special program and have now turned 18 years will have an opportunity to come up, register as voters, and be allocated polling stations,” said Mucunguzi.
He further reminded the country of the cutoff date of the update exercise, which is February 10, 2025. Anybody who will not have registered as a voter by February 10 will not be able to participate in general elections. “It is important that all those who are eligible use this window (from 20th January to 10th February 2025) to show up and ensure that they are registered as voters,” he said.
Furthermore, during this exercise, the Commission will also compile and update the Voters’ Registers of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), including the National Youth Voters’ Register for election of Youth Councils and Committees; the National PWDs Voters’ Register for the election of PWD Councils and Committees; and the National Older Persons Voters’ Register for election of Older Persons Councils and Committees.
Mucunguzi reiterated that the application for registration and transfer of voters from one polling station to another will not be conducted after February 10, 2025.
