The Electoral Commission chairperson today revealed that the commission has extended the voter registration and verification exercise for the upcoming 2021 general elections. This comes just a day to the initial deadline on December 11th, 2019.
The general update exercise which started on November 21, 2019, is now scheduled to close on December 16, 2019, and there won’t be any further extensions.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Electoral Commission chairperson said that the decision to extend the deadline was due to the high numbers of applicants at the center’s and also requests from key stakeholders in the electoral process.
“This exercise will continue to be conducted at update stations in each parish throughout Uganda, starting 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, throughout the extended period, including weekends. Please note that the purpose of this extension is to provide an opportunity for eligible persons who have not yet registered to do so,” he said.
On the allegations of extortion of money by some local leaders and update officials, he said; “This is illegal, and the Commission strongly condemns it. The Commission has provided all necessary forms free of charge. The Commission calls on all officials involved in this update exercise to desist from any acts that may frustrate eligible applicants from exercising their constitutional right to apply for registration as voters.”
It should be noted that this exercise is 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. Also, a registered voter who wishes to transfer to new voting locations can do so during this period.
