EC reschedules update of National Voters Register to January 2025

Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) has postponed the commencement date for the general update of the National Voters Register to allow maximum preparation for the 2026 general elections.

Initially scheduled to run from January 3 to January 24, 2025, the exercise will now take place from January 20 to February 10, 2025.

This rescheduling was disclosed in a statement issued Tuesday, December 24, by Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission under Article 61 (1)(e) of the Constitution which gives the Commission powers to compile, maintain, revise, and update the register as per the constitutional mandate.

“In preparation for the 2025/2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission released a Roadmap wherein the update of the National Voters Register was scheduled to commence on 3rd January 2025 until 24th January 2025. However, this exercise has been rescheduled and will now commence on 20th January 2025, and conclude on 10th February 2025,” Byabakama stated on Tuesday.

The Electoral Commission chair emphasized that the update will occur daily, including weekends, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at designated update stations across Uganda.

The purpose of the update exercise, Byabakama said, is to enable eligible Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who are not yet registered as voters, to do so and also allow registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations.

The exercise is also intended to allow for easy application for such transfer; and enable 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.

“The Commission urges students of 18 years and above to take advantage and register or update their particulars during this exercise before they return to school,” Byabakama said.

The EC appealed to all stakeholders in the electoral process to participate in the General Update exercise, following the guidelines that will be issued for the exercise.

This update is part of the broader roadmap for ensuring transparent and inclusive elections in Uganda.