All in one package: What you need to know about 2021 general elections before you’re closed out of the polling station

KAMPALA, Uganda: In December  2018 the Electoral Commission  launched a  Roadmap for 2020-2021 general elections  and has since  conducted  several  activities  which included  empowering stakeholders  with relevant information   to facilitate  their participation in electoral activities  and also enhancing outreaches  and publicity  campaigns.

Furthering the process, the Commission on Thursday this week also launched an exercise for the general update of the National Voters Register for 2019 which will run from 21^st November to 11^th December 2019 countrywide.

Announcing the commencement  of the exercise  at the Electoral Commission  head office in Kampala , Justice Simon  Byabakama, the Commission Chair, said the general  update of the National Voters Register will be conducted  at update stations for each parish throughout the country starting  from 8:00 am  to 6:00pm on each of the selected dates, weekends inclusive.

During the general Update exercise, the Electoral Commission will register eligible Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who are not yet registered as voters. “The update exercise will be a self-reporting exercise in which a person intending to register will turn up in person at the update center in order to provide his/her personal details, photograph, signatures and finger prints,” Justice Byabakama said.

He warned Ugandans who have already registered as voters anywhere in Uganda not to do so again. However, during the update exercise, registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations will be able to apply   for such transfers and they must present confirmation that they originate from or are, at the time of application for transfer. Such applicants should ensure they have details of their previous voting location. According to the Electoral Commission guidelines, any person who wishes to apply for transfer is free to go to any registration center.

Confirmation of Registration Particulars

The update exercise will enable registered voters to confirm accuracy of their particulars on the register at the voting locations which they indicated during registration. During the exercise, voters will not be able to make changes to their age / date of birth, or include new additional names.

Update on Implementation of the Roadmap for 2020/21 General Elections:

Among  the  activities  which were conducted  during  the  implementation of the roadmap for 2020/21 general  elections included recruitment of temporary staff at the sub-counties and parish levels during the period of July- August  2019 to supervise electoral activities countrywide and also the verification of voter registers.

Justice Byabakama  wants  all stakeholders  in the electoral process  to support  the general  update exercise and other roadmap  activities through  enthusiastic  participation  and in accordance  with the guidelines which will be issued  for each activity.