By Gad Masereka
Kampala: The Electoral Commission has today started the exercise of updating the National Register starting November 21, 2019 up to December 11, 2019 in preparations for the forthcoming 2020/ 2021 general elections.
The EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, while addressing the media this morning, confirmed that the activity will be carried out countrywide starting from 8:00 am to 6:00 Sunday – to Monday.
He said “In accordance with article 61 (1) (e) of the Constitution of the republic of Uganda and section 18 and 19 of the electoral commission act (cap140) , the Electoral Commission will conduct a general update of the National Register, in preparations of the 2020/2021 general elections.’’
He added that “During this process one must report in person to enable him or her update his or her details and also verify the accuracy in photographs, signatures and fingerprints. The exercise is also aimed at confirming the particulars, voting locations, and correct errors that might be in the previous register.”
Byabakama added that those who don’t have national IDs do not qualify for voting including those who have not yet reached 18 years. ‘’
He noted that “the time that we have put is enough for every Ugandan to go and make updates in the national voters register. We cannot wait for parliament to make electoral reforms but we are using the current law to do all these in order to prevent the crisis that may occur.”
He said the Electoral Commission has the money to conduct the general elections and the Commission has been allocated Sh32Bn that will be used in the forth elections.
He added that “There is no room for adjustment and postponing the elections because the law does not indicate that.”
The general update of the national voters register will be conducted at update stations as shall be publicized for each parish throughout Uganda, from today Thursday 21st November 2019 to Wednesday 11th December including 2019 starting from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on each of the appointed dates including weekends.
However, the EC boss was not happy with some opposition political parties whose members he said often allege that the EC works for the Ruling government.
“We invited them to come, is anyone around? So they want us to go and knock at their beds and say that; sir, we are here? Anyone who wants to work with us is welcomed.”
The EC also updated the media that per now the county has 135 districts, 253 counties, 296 constituencies, 2058 sub counties/ towns /municipal divisions, 10,011 parishes, 68649 villages, 34,236 polling stations and 16,435,315 number of voters that are now fully registered.
