EC to start demarcating electoral areas

The Electoral Commission is set to  commence the critical task of demarcating electoral areas for the upcoming 2025-2026 elections.

This exercise, initially slated to begin at the start of July according to the electoral roadmap, will now be undertaken in August 2024.

"The primary objective of this endeavor is to delineate the areas of representation for various categories of councilors, including directly elected councilors, women councilors as stipulated in Article 180 (2)(b) of the Constitution, and councilors representing special interest groups such as youth, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), workers, and older persons," said the commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama in a stakeholders meeting held in Kampala.

"The demarcation process will be concentrated in districts and cities where new administrative units—parishes, towns, and sub-counties—were established after the 2020-2021 general elections."

Factors such as means of communication, geographical features, and population density will be integral to the exercise, ensuring that electoral boundaries are logically and fairly drawn.

Another crucial component of the EC's preparatory activities is the reorganization of polling stations, as mandated by Section 33 (1) of the Electoral Commission Act.

This initiative is vital for maintaining a manageable number of voters per polling station, thereby facilitating accessibility and ensuring adequate space for the voting process.

"For the 2025-2026 General Elections, the reorganization will involve several key measures: locating polling stations in central, easily accessible areas, relocating those affected by infrastructural developments, splitting polling stations that exceed the optimum number of voters, and reducing the number of polling stations within a single polling center," Byabakama said.

The EC aims to ensure that every parish and electoral area has at least one polling station, thereby bolstering voter convenience and participation.

The necessity for such comprehensive electoral preparations is further heightened by the creation of new administrative entities and a growing voter population since the last general elections.

Consequently, the EC is conducting a nationwide reorganization of polling stations to accommodate these changes effectively.

However, the EC has also cautioned that, "any amendments or enactments of electoral laws with financial implications could necessitate additional resources to carry out further demarcation and reorganization activities."

As Uganda braces for the 2025-2026 polls, election fever is  rising across the country.

Citizens are increasingly engaged in political discourse, and the atmosphere is charged with anticipation.

Various political parties and candidates are already mobilizing their bases, strategizing for the upcoming campaigns, and vying for public support.

The election fever is not just confined to political circles; it has permeated everyday conversations, social gatherings, and media discussions, reflecting the high stakes and widespread public interest in the forthcoming elections.