The Electoral Commission (EC) has commenced the process of demarcating electoral areas for the 2025/2026 local governments councils elections.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the matter, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, chairperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasized the importance of the demarcation exercise.
“The purpose of the demarcation exercise is to clearly define the areas of representation for directly elected councillors, women councillors, and councillors representing special interest groups in various local governments councils,” said Justice Byabakama.
The demarcation exercise, which was initially scheduled to commence in August 2023, has been delayed due to funding constraints. However, the EC has assured stakeholders that the process will be completed in August 2024.
“We are now set to commence the demarcation of electoral areas for purposes of the 2025-2026 Local Governments Councils elections. This activity ought to have been commenced at the beginning of this month as per the road map but it will now take place in August 2024,” he said.
The EC has also announced plans to reorganize polling stations across the country, whereby each parish and electoral area will have at least one polling station.
The demarcation and reorganization exercise will take into account factors such as means of communication, geographical features, and density of population.
Byabakama urged the people to support the demarcation and reorganization exercise, emphasizing that a credible electoral process is a multi-stakeholder responsibility.
“I wish to emphasize that a credible electoral process is largely a multi-stakeholder responsibility. All stakeholders should therefore take a keen interest in the processes and commit to ensuring an enabling environment that enhances participation at all levels,” he said.
The EC estimates that there will be more than 40,000 polling stations during the 2026 general elections.
Polling stations are not expected to have more than 1,200 voters in Kampala and 900 voters in other areas.
