KAMPALA – The Electoral Commission has extended the update of the National Voters Register by one week following high public demand and technical setbacks that slowed the registration process.
The exercise, which began on 20 January and was scheduled to conclude today, will now run until 17 February, the Commission announced on Monday. The update is a critical part of preparations for the 2025/2026 General Elections, allowing new voters to register, existing voters to transfer polling stations, and all voters to verify their details.
Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, said the extension followed widespread appeals from the public and various stakeholders. “The Commission, taking into account its observations in the field and appeals from stakeholders, has decided to extend the Update Exercise for seven days,” he told journalists at a press conference in Kampala.
The Commission reported that, while progress had been made, the process faced significant logistical challenges, particularly related to registration kits supplied by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). Many of the kits, which are crucial for voter registration, were said to be outdated and prone to breakdowns, causing delays at registration centres across the country.
“We have received reports and observed ourselves some challenges that have affected the pace of the Update Exercise, notably the limited number of registration kits from NIRA and their occasional breakdowns due to old age,” Byabakama said, confirming that 361,432 new voters had been added to the register since the start of the exercise, and 292,021 applications for transfers to new polling stations had been processed. This brings the total number of registered voters to 19,925,574, up from 18,103,603 in the 2020/2021 General Elections.
The extension will see registration centres remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.
Byabakama emphasised that this is not a fresh voter registration exercise but an opportunity for eligible citizens who missed the initial deadline to register.
“We urge all citizens who have reached the voting age or wish to transfer their polling stations to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said, urging voters to check and confirm their registration details at their local update centres or online through the Electoral Commission’s website.
Byabakama said his commission will continue updating the public on registration statistics as the country moves closer to the 2025/2026 elections, with the next major update expected during the display of the National Voters Register in April and May.
he reiterated the importance of voter participation and warned that no further extensions would be granted.
“The Electoral Commission appeals to all eligible persons who are not yet registered as voters, and those who wish to apply for transfer of their voting locations, to use the opportunity provided by this extension to do so. Your participation is vital to the success of the 2025/2026 General Elections.”
