Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has warned against tampering with the voters’ register as Ugandans prepare to vote in the Local Council One (LC1) chairperson elections tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28.
Speaking in an interview ahead of the polls, Byabakama stressed that the voters’ register is the basis for determining who is eligible to vote, saying only people whose names appear on the register will be allowed to participate.
“Every person whose name appears on the voters’ register has the right to vote,” Byabakama said, adding that anyone whose name is not on the register will not be permitted to vote.
He further warned that anyone found tampering with the voters’ register will face criminal charges.
Byabakama also told voters not to leave their polling stations before the votes are counted, urging them to remain until the counting process is completed.
“If your name is not on the voters’ register and you want to vote tomorrow, it is too late. If you did not register, it means you chose not to participate,” he said.
The Electoral Commission conducted the compilation of the Village Council Register from July 6 to 10, followed by the display of the registers on July 13 and 14, giving residents an opportunity to verify their details and raise concerns over ineligible persons. The exercise covered all 71,214 villages across the country.
The Commission’s official programme sets July 28 as polling day for the election of LC1 chairpersons, with voting, counting, filling of results forms and declaration of winners taking place at village level.
Byabakama urged voters and other stakeholders with concerns to report them to the Electoral Commission before the election process is concluded. He said that once the process is complete, any election disputes should be addressed through the courts.
He also warned against voter bribery and intimidation, both of which he said are criminal offences. Byabakama urged voters to choose LC1 chairpersons they know to be people of integrity.
The LC1 elections are being held after years of delays and extensions, with the Electoral Commission now set to conduct the grassroots polls across the country. The elections are expected to determine village-level leadership and pave the way for subsequent Parish or LC2 elections scheduled for August 10.