KAMPALA – The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenti on August 28 revealed that only voters registered with the electoral commission will be allowed to vote in the forthcoming 2021 presidential and general elections.
Justice Byakabakama said that the most important record for voting is the National Voters Register (NVR).
Following the announcement, PML Daily brings you the requirements yih need to fulfill to make sure you appear on the National Voters Register as a voter.
According to the Voter Education Hand Book by the EC, all citizens of Uganda who are 18 years and above are eligible to register in their parish of origin or residence.
“The Electoral Commission compiles information about Uganda’s citizens in order to allow them to vote in general, national, local council elections and referenda,” reads an excerpt.
The are several types of voter’s register including National voter’s register, special interest group register and Administrative units register however for one to vote they must register in one of the registers.
EC conducts registration on a continuous basis coordinated by the district staff however before any election; it conducts a general update whereby registration is intensified up to a polling station level.
“Registration is carried out at designated places, such as EC offices in Kampala, the EC district offices and parishes within the districts…Registration takes place during regular working hours, between 8:00 am -6:00pm,” reads a statement in part.
Basic information required for required for registration
-Names
-Date of birth
-Names of parents
-Gender
-Parish of origin or residence
-District, county, Subcounty, Parish
Upon registration, the applicant is issued with a certificate of registration, filled and signed by both the registration official and the application.
“The voter is advised to keep this certificate of registration safely since it is the only proof of registration until the voter receives the actual voter’s card. This will help avoid confusion of whether one is registered or not,” EC noted.
Voters also have the opportunity to change their particulars to reflect their current voting location through applying to EC for a transfer by filling in the form.
EC then displays the voters register to allow voters to confirm their registration status before an election.
“This is the last opportunity for voters to raise objections with regards to the accuracy of their particulars, or any other occurancy, on the register,” reads an excerpt.
The Display exercise lasts for at least 21 dates at the polling station where voters registered from in dates announced by EC.
After the whole registration process, the commissions issues the voter’s card to the voters and noted that it is illegal for voters to hold more than one voter’s card as it is punishable under the law.
“Registration is free of charge, “reads a statement from the book.
The Electoral Commission is mandated to establish, maintain and update the voter’s register.
The voter’s register is a list of people who are eligible to vote in an election.
