In preparation for the 2025/26 general elections, the Electoral Commission will demarcate electoral areas for representation in all local governments in the cities and districts of Uganda.
According to the Commission, this exercise aims to ensure fair and effective representation by guaranteeing that each basic unit of representation is represented in the respective local government by at least one person.
“This will take place in cities and districts where new sub-counties, towns, and parishes or wards were created after the 2020/21 general elections,” the Commission clarified.
From August 6 to 16, the exercise will involve merging polling stations with a significantly low number of voters within the same ward and splitting polling stations with more than 1,200 voters in Kampala and more than 900 voters in the rest of the country.
Additionally, the process will include rationalizing polling stations; those previously split alphabetically will now be split based on villages where practical. The exercise will also involve relocating some polling stations, renaming those that do not reflect the area they are located in, and creating new polling stations.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasized that the demarcation of electoral areas is critical for maintaining democratic representation and fairness in elections. He urged the public to cooperate with election officials.
“The Commission appeals to all members of the public to cooperate with the respective election officials and to participate actively for a better electoral process,” he emphasized.
The necessity to demarcate these electoral areas arises mainly from the creation of new sub-counties, where councils will be formed for the first time, the establishment of new parishes affecting municipal representation, an increase in sub-county populations, and the revision of population quotas under Section 108 of the Local Government Act.
Under section 12(1) (d) of the Electoral Commission Act, 1997, the Electoral commission is mandated to establish and operate polling stations for elections.