Electoral Commission Extends Voter Register Update Exercise by 7 Days

In a press conference held on Monday, 10th February 2025, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, announced the extension of the General Update Exercise of the National Voters Register by seven additional days. The extension, which will run from Tuesday, 11th February, to Monday, 17th February 2025, aims to ensure that all eligible Ugandan citizens have an opportunity to register or update their voter details ahead of the 2025/2026 General Elections.

The update exercise, which commenced on 20th January 2025, was initially scheduled to conclude on 10th February 2025. However, following observations from the field and appeals from various stakeholders, the Commission has decided to extend the exercise to accommodate more citizens. Justice Byabakama emphasized that this extension is the final one, and no further extensions will be granted.

The General Update Exercise is being conducted in compliance with Article 61 (1)(e) of the Constitution of Uganda and Section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176). Its primary objectives include:

1. Enabling eligible Ugandan citizens aged 18 and above, who are not yet registered as voters, to register.
2. Allowing registered voters to transfer to new voting locations.
3. Enabling registered voters to verify and confirm the accuracy of their details on the Voters Register.
4. Facilitating students who were registered by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) while in school to update their particulars and be assigned polling stations.

Since the exercise began, the Commission has registered significant progress, with 361,432 new voters added to the National Voters Register and 292,021 transfer applications processed. However, the exercise has faced challenges, including the limited number of registration kits provided by NIRA and frequent machine breakdowns, which have slowed the pace of registration.

Despite these challenges, the Commission has commended the enthusiasm of Ugandans and the support from stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, and the public. The extension is intended to address the delays and ensure that all eligible citizens are accommodated.

During the 7-day extension, the update exercise will continue to operate daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, including weekends. The Commission has clarified the following:

• This is not a fresh registration exercise but an opportunity for those who missed the initial period to register or update their details.
• Registered voters wishing to transfer to new voting locations must provide proof of residence or origin in the parish of the new voting location.
• The National Voters Register for each polling station is available at update centers for verification of details.
• Voters can also verify their registration status online via the Electoral Commission website.

The Electoral Commission has urged all eligible citizens who have not yet registered or updated their details to take advantage of the extension. Justice Byabakama reiterated that the updated Voters Register is critical for ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections in 2025/2026.

The Commission will continue to provide updates on the progress of the exercise and will release further statistics at key milestones, including the Display Exercise of the National Voters Register scheduled for April-May 2025.