The Electoral Commission has sought additional funding of over shs shs179bn to prepare for elections ahead of 2026, including the expansion of citizen participation in exercising their democratic rights.

This was while the commission appeared before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to present its budget for FY2025/26.

The Electoral Commission chair, Justice Simon Byabakama, has today led his team to present their ministerial budget policy framework for FY25/26 before the parliament legal committee, totaling over shs.838bn.

Byabakama noted that the commission has received 594bn from the estimate of 774bn that has been provided for election activity, including voter education, which is lacking in finances at over 3.01bn due to a funding gap of over 179bn.

Despite the 20 million registered voters, the commission notes the low voter turnout, citing that only 49.3% showed up in previous presidential polls. MPs criticized the effectiveness of the commission’s voter sensitization and the use of biometrics in the polls.

In response, the EC chair called on parliament and other stakeholders to join in the bid for expansion of citizen participation in exercising their democratic rights.

He also emphasized that law amendments need to be made to enforce biometrics use in the system, which is a compulsory identification requirement for one to vote.

With the noticeable involvement of security agencies in electoral processes, Byabakama mentioned that they are engaging stakeholders to ensure that each party is working within their mandate.

As per the 2025/2026 General Elections roadmap, the electoral commission will be displaying the National Voters' Register at each polling station starting on 18th April 2025 and ending on 8th May 2025. This month, they will also be displaying the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Committees Voters Register in each village, KCCA, UPDF, EC, and Workers Offices from 18th to 28th, 2025.

END