The Electoral Commission (EC) has again extended the period for updating the National Voters’ register to December 23, 2019.
According to a statement signed by the EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Commission reviewed the reasons advanced by various stakeholders for a further extension, which include; the unfavourable weather conditions in many parts of the country and high turn-up of applicants at update stations.
“Accordingly, the Commission has decided to further extend the update period from tomorrow Tuesday 17th December 2019 for seven (7) more days, ending on Monday 23rd December 2019, after which, there will be no further extension,” he said in a statement.
Justice Byabakama added that the exercise will continue to be conducted at updated stations in each parish throughout Uganda, starting from 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. A voter who wishes to transfer to a new voting location must present confirmation that he/she originates from or is, at the time of application for transfer, a resident of the Parish of that (new) voting location. Such applicants should ensure they have details of their previous voting location,” reads an excerpt.
He further urged all eligible persons who are not yet registered as voters, and those who wish to apply for transfer of voting location, to use this “very last opportunity” and do so in order to participate in the General Elections.
EC appointed the period of the general update of National Voters’ Register for purposes of the 2020/2021 General Elections. The exercise commenced on Thursday, November 21 and was scheduled to close on December 11, 2019.
Justice Byabakama noted that towards the close of the update exercise the Commission observed big numbers of applicants at the update centers across the country and also received requests for the extension from various stakeholders in the electoral process,” he said in a statement.
“Arising out of this, the Electoral Commission found it necessary to extend the update period from Wednesday 11th December 2019, for five (5) more days, starting from Thursday 12th December 2019 and ending today Monday 16th December 2019,” reads the statement in part.
He added that “However, before the end of this extended period, the Electoral Commission once again received several requests from numerous stakeholders in the electoral process, and recommendations from our own field staff for a further extension of the period for the General Update of the National Voters Register.”