The Electoral Commission (EC) will extend the update of national voters’ register for more five days, Justice Simon Byabakama has Monday announced.
Addressing journalists at the head offices, EC chairman said the exercise which was scheduled to close tomorrow Wednesday will run up to next week Monday and after that period there will be no further extension (December 11 to 16).
He dispelled reports that the commission was bowing to pressure from the public to extend the exercise but rather the decision was reached because of several requests from the applicants and other stakeholders who are largely affected by the heavy rains that have ravaged country to some extent causing death.
“However, due to higher numbers of applicants at the update centers since the beginning of this week, and requests from key stakeholders in the electoral process, the Electoral Commission has found it necessary and taken a decision to extend the update period, which was scheduled to close on Wednesday 11th December 2019, for five (5) more days, starting from Thursday 12th and ending Monday 16th December 2019, after which, there will be no further extension,” said Mr. Byabakama.
This exercise will continue to be conducted at update stations in each parish throughout Uganda, starting from 8:00am to 6:00pm, including weekends.
The purpose of this extension is to provide an opportunity for eligible persons who have not yet registered to do so.
The general public is, therefore, reminded to carefully observe the following;
This is not a fresh registration of voters but an exercise to enable Ugandan citizens who have attained the age of 18 years and above and who have not yet registered to register as voters in order to participate in elections.
A registered voter who wishes to transfer to new voting locations shall be able to do so during this period.
The Electoral Commission has availed the National Voters’ Register for each polling station at the Update center in each parish, so that existing voters check and confirm their registration status, that is, whether their particulars are well-captured.
