Electoral Commission Chair Simon Byabakama insists on the “vote and go home” model to avoid overcrowding at polling stations during the general election.
The Electoral Commission has repeatedly urged voters to cast their ballots and go home peacefully on Election Day, January 15, 2026. However, opposition parties, particularly NUP, have raised concerns about the vote counting credibility. During their campaigns, NUP has been mobilizing its supporters to vote and stay at polling stations to “protect their vote” in a show of protest.
NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi has urged supporters to stay at polling stations to protect their votes, standing within 20 meters as a way to counter irregularities in the National Voters Register handling and potential vote rigging, a claim that has been dismissed by the Electoral Commission.
The “vote and go home” message has been emphasized by security agencies, including Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who warned voters against loitering at polling stations to “protect votes.” He stated that anyone causing disorder will be dealt with firmly.
Although the “vote and go home” message from the Electoral Commission has been condemned by both the opposition and electoral observers, the Commission has insisted on its stance. During the end-of-year press briefing, Chairperson Byabakama said people should vote and go, citing potential violence and disruptions caused by crowds.
“People should consider the practical realities,” Byabakama said. “In 2021, there were polling stations where the EC couldn’t declare results because people started altercations, turned violent, and invaded stations, destroying materials.”
He explains that again in 2021 the commission received reports of some people who stayed at polling stations simply to intimidate some voters from voting their choices of candidates.
“Once voters are perceived to prefer a particular candidate, they face intimidation before even entering the polling station,” Byabakama said. “Some of these areas are extremely congested, and the prescribed distance for polling station setups isn’t sufficient due to limited space. If all 600 registered voters at a station turn up and linger, it will be chaotic; they’ll either spill onto the roads or violate the 20-meter guideline.” Byabakama noted.
He said the candidates’ agents deployed at these polling stations are enough to observe and protect the votes, in addition to election observers and journalists.
Byabakama argued that urging people to protect their votes could spark chaos, fights, and disruptions at polling stationswhich is why the ECecommends voters to head home after casting their ballots and return in the evening for the count, while adhering to the 20-meter rule.
“You have people supporting different candidates, and every voter believes in the strength of their candidate. If you tell people to gather in one place, how will you prevent them from exchanging blows or becoming violent?” Byabakama asked. “The polling station could be destroyed. People aren’t as civil as they are in church. The commission shouldn’t be misquoted, we’re just trying to create a free environment for anyone to come and vote.”
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