The extension of the voter registration exercise period by the Electoral Commission of Uganda for seven more days has brought smiles to many faces. It was supposed to end on February 10, 2025, but according to the extended date, it will fall on February 17, 2025. This is after the EC got numerous requests from the public and faced several challenges during the initial period of the exercise.

Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, told a press conference in Kampala that this extension was in order to allow many Ugandans who had flocked to registration centers either to get registered or update their details on the voter register. Some technical and logistical issues contributed to the slow process.

“Since the commencement of this voter update exercise on January 20, 2025, we witnessed great enthusiasm by many Ugandans who wished to get registered or update their particulars. But indeed, on account of few numbers of registration kits and intermittent machine breakdowns, delays occurred, Justice Byabakama said.

The voter update exercise is a constitutional requirement under Article 61(1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act. It allows Ugandans aged 18 and above to register as voters, update their details, or transfer their polling stations. Despite the challenges, the exercise has made significant progress, with 361,432 new voters added to the National Voters Register and 292,021 applications for polling station transfers processed.

But this has been confronted by situations such as the long queues in most of the registration centers, not to mention other frequent problems of the machines the National Identification and Registration Authority provides. Because of these complaints by the registering people, several leaders, together with civil organizations, asked to have the time for registration extended.

We have been monitoring the exercise closely, engaging with stakeholders, and listening to feedback from the public. The overwhelming request has been for an extension to allow more eligible Ugandans to register,” Justice Byabakama explained.

The extension, which starts on February 11 and runs until February 17, 2025, is not a fresh registration exercise. This is not a new registration; rather, it’s the opportunity for those who missed the first deadline to be registered or their details updated. Justice Byabakama added that these chosen days are for Ugandan citizens who are 18 years and above and are yet to be registered and also for the transfer to another polling station of already registered voters if they can prove they reside in the new area.

This is to make the process easy; the EC has given the following guidelines to make the exercise easy:

• Voter update exercise, including weekends, starting from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Registered voters can verify their details at the centers or online on the EC website: ec.or.ug/register.
• Transfers of polling station must be supported with proof of residence or origin in the new voting location.

This means, according to the latest statistics, a total of 19,925,574 voters are recorded on Uganda’s National Voters Register, from 18,103,603 in the 2020/2021 General Elections. This turnout represents the Commission’s engagement in ensuring the capturing of new voters and updating the records through continuous registration. The EC also noted that such figures keep changing as more people get registered and updates made. The final figures will be released ahead of the display of the voter register exercise slated for April to May 2025.

Justice Byabakama urged all eligible Ugandans who have not registered or need updates to take advantage of the extension. He insisted that voter participation in the process is important and said, “We call upon all Ugandans who have not yet registered or need to update their details to seize this opportunity. Your participation in the electoral process is crucial in shaping the future of our democracy.”

This extension represents a very important step toward the opportunity for all eligible Ugandans to participate in the next 2025/2026 General Elections. It also manifests the commitment of the EC toward ensuring that logistical bottlenecks are overcome and that the whole electoral process is smooth and transparent.

While the registration exercise is ongoing, the EC is still committed to ensuring that all registrants are registered with no unnecessary delays. The extension is a clear indication that the commission is listening to the concerns of the public and is willing to take steps to ensure that everyone who wants to vote can do so.

This development has been welcomed by many Ugandans, especially those who faced challenges during the initial registration period. For some, the long queues and technical issues meant they could not get registered, while this extension offers a second chance to ensure their names feature on the voters’ list.

The extension, however, shows the EC prioritizing voter registration, a major pillar in any democratic society. Voting is one of the core freedoms that must be ensured to every citizen who qualifies to exercise this right, hence a basis for fair representation. The deadline extension by the EC, therefore, seeks to ensure no single individual is excluded from this electoral process.

The extended seven days, therefore, in this direction give an assurance of the full registration of eligible Ugandans and as a response to address all challenges which could have happened at the time the initial registration had taken place; an opportunity now opens up to have more registered or change any information on record. In these ways, the extension by the EC shows that participation by voters in shaping the future of democracy in Uganda is not taken lightly as the EC continues to work toward a smooth and transparent electoral process.