By Spy Uganda
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama, has announced that Ugandans turning 18 after February 10, 2025, will not vote in the 2026 general elections. He explained that the cutoff is necessary to finalize the National Voters Register and prepare for the elections.
Byabakama made this statement while appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee during discussions on the EC’s 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper last week. He stated that youths who reach the age of majority after February 10, 2025, cannot be added to the register, even though it is their constitutional right to vote.
Registration Deadline and Implications
The EC launched a nationwide update of the National Voters Register from January 20 to February 10, 2025, targeting Ugandans who are 18 or older and those who have never registered. Byabakama defended the deadline, citing logistical needs such as determining the number of ballot papers to print, planning polling stations, and hiring election staff.
“By the time nominations occur in September 2025, we must have a complete, verified voters register,” he said. “Extending the registration period creates uncertainty and complicates planning and budgeting.”
The EC also highlighted that the 2026 general elections, slated for January 12 to February 9, will be preceded by special interest group elections in June 2025, further necessitating early preparation of the voters register.
MPs Raise Concerns Over Disenfranchisement
The announcement sparked debates among MPs, with Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu arguing that thousands of eligible voters could be disenfranchised. “This decision excludes anyone turning 18 between February 10, 2025, and the election date,” he said, adding, “This wasn’t the lawmakers’ intention when enacting the Constitution.”
Katuntu suggested leveraging data from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to preemptively include individuals who will turn 18 by polling day. “NIRA registers people as young as 16, making it possible to identify those who will be eligible to vote,” he said.
Santa Alum, the Oyam District Woman Representative, echoed Katuntu’s concerns but acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “The register is the foundation of a credible election, but we must address the contradiction between logistical constraints and constitutional rights,” she said.
Justice Byabakama clarified that the cutoff is not meant to disenfranchise voters but to ensure credible and efficient elections. He emphasized, “The right to vote accrues when one registers at 18. However, it is impossible to continuously update the register without jeopardizing election preparations.”
High Cost of Elections
During the same meeting, Byabakama addressed concerns about the high cost of Uganda’s elections. He attributed the expenses to the lack of a “volunteership spirit” among Ugandans, which necessitates paying allowances to all election workers.
“In other countries like Rwanda, India, and Venezuela, citizens volunteer to work on polling day without pay,” he noted. “Here in Uganda, this culture is absent, significantly increasing costs.”
Byabakama’s comments followed a query by Erute South MP Jonathan Odur, who asked the EC about plans to reduce election costs, particularly given the delays in Local Council I and II elections. Byabakama revealed that the EC requires an additional UGX 623.906 billion to implement phase three of its electoral roadmap, bringing the total funding requirement for 2025/26 to UGX 764.705 billion.
Katuntu urged Parliament to address the legal and constitutional issues surrounding voter registration deadlines. “This matter is not administrative but legal. We must ensure the Constitution’s intent is upheld,” he said.
Alum called for collaborative efforts between the EC and Parliament to find a lasting solution. “Let’s work together to resolve this issue and ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised,” she said.
The debate underscores the tension between logistical constraints and the constitutional right to vote, as well as the broader challenges of managing election costs in Uganda.
