Electoral Commission Extends National Voters Register Update Deadline to 17th February 2025

The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced an extension of the General Update Exercise of the National Voters Register, which was initially set to conclude on Monday, 10th February 2025. The extension, which runs from Tuesday, 11th February to Monday, 17th February 2025, aims to provide additional time for eligible Ugandan citizens to register and participate in the upcoming 2025/2026 General Elections.

Chairperson EC, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon

The announcement was made by the Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission during a press briefing, in which he highlighted both the progress made in the update exercise and the challenges encountered. The extension follows appeals from key stakeholders and observations from the EC’s field teams, which revealed a high turnout of applicants seeking registration and transfer services across the country.

Chairperson EC Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon (Standing) Addresses the Fourth Estate

*Rationale for the Extension*

The decision to extend the update exercise was influenced by several factors, including:

High Public Turnout: Since the exercise commenced on 20th January 2025, Ugandans have demonstrated great enthusiasm in registering as voters, applying for transfers, and verifying their details. The surge in participation has resulted in long queues at update centers, necessitating more time to accommodate all eligible applicants.

Challenges with Registration Kits: The EC faced technical difficulties due to the limited number of registration kits obtained from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). The old-age kits have been prone to breakdowns, slowing down the registration process in various regions.

Stakeholder Appeals: Political leaders, civil society organizations, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, youth groups, and members of the public have all requested an extension to ensure comprehensive coverage of eligible voters. Their concerns were taken into consideration by the EC before granting the extension.

Chairperson EC Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon

Students Registered by NIRA: Many students who were initially registered by NIRA while in school and have since turned 18 need additional time to update their details and be assigned polling stations within their parishes of residence or origin.

*Progress Made So Far*

Despite the challenges, the EC has reported significant progress during the first 21 days of the update exercise:

361,432 new voters have been added to the National Voters Register.

292,021 applications for voter transfers have been processed.

The current National Voters Register now stands at 19,925,574 registered voters, up from 18,103,603 in the 2020/2021 General Elections.

Additionally, the EC has continuously updated the register through by-elections and by integrating verified citizens’ data from NIRA.

*Key Guidelines for the Extension Period*

During the extension period, the update exercise will continue to be conducted daily, including weekends, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at designated update centers. The EC has issued the following clarifications:

Not a Fresh Registration: The extension is not for new voter registration but an opportunity for Ugandans who have not yet registered to do so.

Transfers Still Allowed: Registered voters who wish to change their voting locations can still apply, but they must provide proof of residence or origin in the new location.

Verification Available: Voters can confirm their details at update centers or online via the EC website (https://ec.or.ug/register).

*Looking Ahead: The Road to the 2025/2026 Elections*

With the update exercise extended, the EC will continue monitoring progress and issuing periodic updates. After this phase, the next key milestone will be the Display of the National Voters Register, scheduled for April–May 2025, where registered voters will have the chance to cross-check their details before the final register is compiled.

The EC has urged all eligible citizens who have not yet registered or wish to transfer their polling stations to take advantage of this extension and ensure they are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.

This development underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive, transparent, and well-organized electoral process.