The Electoral Commission has officially launched the general update of the National Voters Register in preparation for the 2025-2026 General Elections. The update exercise began today, Monday, January 20, 2025, and will run until February 10, 2025. This initiative aims to ensure that all eligible Ugandans have the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming elections.
The exercise will be conducted at designated update stations across all 10,717 parishes and wards in Uganda. These stations will operate daily, including weekends, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Details about the specific locations of the update stations will be publicized to ensure accessibility for all eligible citizens.
Julius Mucunguzi, the spokesperson for the Electoral Commission, emphasized the primary objective of the update exercise: to register Ugandan citizens aged 18 and above who have not yet been added to the National Voters Register.
Additionally, the exercise provides an opportunity for registered voters who wish to change their voting locations. To apply for a transfer, voters must provide proof of residence or origin within the parish of their desired new voting location, along with details of their previous voting location. Applicants can visit any update center equipped with a registration kit to complete this process.
Mucunguzi clarified that voters already registered in Uganda do not need to register again. However, they are encouraged to verify their details to ensure accuracy and confirm their voting location on the Voters Register.
The spokesperson also reminded the public of the February 10, 2025, deadline, urging eligible citizens to take advantage of this period to update their information or register for the first time.
In addition to updating the general National Voters Register, the Commission will also focus on compiling and revising Voters Registers for Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These include the National Youth Voters’ Register for the election of Youth Councils and Committees, the National Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Voters’ Register for PWD Councils and Committees, and the National Older Persons Voters’ Register for the election of Older Persons Councils and Committees.