LOW TURNUP RECORDED AS NATIONAL VOTERS EXERCISE COMMENCES IN ARUA CITY

Few participants at one of the centres in Arua City on January 20, 2025. Photo by Albert Onzoma.
 
By Albert Onzoma
 
Arua City

In preparation for the 2025/2026 General Elections, Electoral Commission has commenced with the National Voters Register Update with low turn up registered on the first day of the exercise.
 
According to the Electoral Commission released Roadmap, the update of the National Voters Register was scheduled to commence on January 3, 2025, however the exercise was rescheduled from January 20, 2025, and conclude on February 10, 2025.
 
According to Juma Shesha, the regional election officer for West Nile, the exercise will enable eligible Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who are not yet registered as voters, to do so and registered voters who wish to transfer to new voting locations, to apply for such transfers.
 
He said that, “With time some people die they have to be removed from the National Voters Register meanwhile others attain the mandatory age they will have to be included in the National Voter Register, that’s the meaning of National Voters Register Update, and this particular exercise is for the first time voters who are Ugandans of eighteen years and above, in this same exercise we also transfer voters who wish to transfer their voting locations from voting location to new voting locations after filling application to transfer form and confirmation of residency form.”  
 
Photo of Juma Shesha the regional election officer for west nile region
 
Hafiz Ahmed the Parish Election Officer for Bazar Ward in Arua Central Division is hoping to register improved turn up of voters for the exercise in the coming days.
 
“Right now the turn up is low we are hopeful that the numbers will increase from tomorrow, before the activities kicked off we engaged local council chairpersons, politicians and different stakeholders to do massive mobilization for people to come for the exercise,” Hafiz stated.
 
Ramadan Nasur Yacob the Parish Election Officer for Tanganyika ward explains some of the reasons leading to low turn of voters for the exercise.
 
Ramathan noted, “The turn up is low because today is yet the first day for the exercise, and so many people are not aware about the exercise as well, we have so far registered eight people only but I know from tomorrow so many people will come for the exercise.”
 
The Electoral Commission is mandated under Article 61 (1)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, (as amended), and Sections 18 and 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 140) to compile, maintain, revise, and update the National Voters Register.
 
 

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