The Electoral Commission has announced a five-day extension of the voter registration and verification exercise to December 16, 2019.The exercise commenced on November 21, and was scheduled to end on December 11, 2019.
While addressing journalists at the Electoral Commission headquarters on Jinja road in Kampala on Thursday afternoon, the Electoral Commission chairman Justice Simon Byabakama noted that they (Electoral Commission) made the decision following the high number of eligible voters at the update centres and requests from key stakeholders in the electoral process.
“Due to higher numbers of applicants at the update centers since the beginning of this week and requests from key stakeholders in the electoral process, the electoral commission has found it necessary to extend the update period,” said Byabakama.
Further Byabakama noted that this exercise will continue being conducted at update stations in each parish throughout the country from 8:00am to 6:00pm including weekends.
In regard to this, Byabakama urged all unregistered eligible voters to use this opportunity and register in a bid to effectively participate in the forthcoming General elections.
“The electoral commission urges all eligible persons who are not yet registered as voters and those who wish to apply for transfer of voting location to use this opportunity and do so in order to participate in the General Elections,” said Byabakama.
The Electoral commission boss also reveled that there has emerged allegations of local leaders and update officials extorting money from eligible voters that intend to update citing that this is illegal and uncalled for.
“The electoral commission has noted, with concern, reports of alleged extortion of money by some local leaders and update officials from applicants in order to sign on their applications before processing the applications, this is illegal and the commission strongly condemns it,” said Byabakama.
He further cautioned all Update officials to distance themselves from frustrating eligible applicants through various acts whatsoever.
“The commission calls on all officials involved in this update exercise to desist from any acts that may frustrate eligible voters from excising their constitutional right to apply for registration as voters,” reveled Byabakama.
