The Independent Electoral Commission (EC) has called upon all stakeholders in the Electoral processes in Uganda to embrace and actively participate in the ongoing electoral activities in order to ensure transparent, inclusive and violence-free elections come next year 2026.
The call was made by the EC spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, following the release and display of lists of the outcomes of the demarcation of electoral areas by the EC ahead of the 2026 elections. According to the EC, the display of lists commenced today January 15th 2025 at all Local Government offices across the country.
In a press statement, Mr Mucunguzi noted that the lists of demarcated areas will be on display up to 20th January 2025 and therefore members of the public should take advantage of this exercise, and raise their complaints if any.
“The Electoral Commission wishes to call on members of the public to visit the various locations at Parishes and Wards, Municipal, District or City offices, to check what has come out of the demarcation of electoral areas, and raise their complaints if any.” Mr Mucunguzi stated. He noted that the EC has also established a mechanism to receive and resolve all complaints associated with the demarcation of electoral areas.
This however comes a few days to another important exercise -the General update of voters’ register during which voters will confirm their eligibility to participate in the upcoming elections. Mr Mucunguzi emphasized the importance of the Commission to engage the major actors in the electoral process, saying that as EC, stakeholder engagement and involvement is the cornerstone to having free, credible and peaceful elections in 2026.
“As the commission embarks on the general update of the voters’ register, the commission again calls on all stakeholders: be political parties, civil society, the media, cultural institutions, security and police to play their rightful roles to mobilize the people and ensure that this exercise goes on smoothly” He noted.
Mucunguzi also said the EC is confident with the steps undertaken currently to publicize and create awareness about the general update of the voters’ register due to commence on 20th January 2025 to the 10th February 2025, saying the Commission will not relent in its efforts to mobilize stakeholders towards the success of this exercise.
“We call upon everybody that has a role to play in the exercise of the update of the voters register as well as other elements on the roadmap as we head towards 2026 to be present and to participate because a credible, peaceful, transparent, fair, free and credible election is a responsibility not just of the Commission but of all the stakeholders involved in it” Mr. Mucunguzi remarked.