EC sets August 2024 to commence demarcation of electoral areas, reorganization of pollingstations 2026 Elections.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has set the commencement of the demarcation of electoral

areas, and reorganization of polling stations 2025/2026 General elections in August 2024

revising it from the early days of July 2024.

The Chairman EC, Justice Simon Byabakama said that while discussing the Demarcation of

Electoral Areas, the exercise aims to define areas for Directly Elected Councilors, Women

Councilors, and Councilors representing Special Interest Groups.

He said Elections being a multi-stakeholder responsibility require continuous support and

cooperation, for the Commission to deliver the same effectively as mandated by the

Constitution

“Re-organisation of polling stations needs to ensure manageable Voter numbers and

accessibility. The exercise will address new administrative units, and voter growth and Will

include relocating and splitting polling stations. This will now start in August 2024 due to recent

adjustments” he said

The Chairman revealed this during the stakeholders workshop on Demarcation of Electoral

Areas for Local Government Councils Elections and Re-organization of Polling Stations in

Preparation 2026 held on 30th July 2024 at Hotel Africana.

The Chairman added that “Considering timeframes & commencement of electoral activities for

2026; I caution that any amendment or enactment of the electoral laws having financial

implications, may need more resources for demarcation & re-organization of polling stations”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mulekwah R. J. Leonard, Secretary EC, welcomed stakeholders to

the National Workshop, emphasizing the 2025-2026 General Election as the fifth under a

Multiparty Political Party Dispensation.

"The EC has made commendable improvements in planning and conducting elections," he

stated.

Mr. Charles Lwanga, The Principal Election Officer- Election management said that “The role of

CSOs is to promote transparency and public participation through advocacy, educate and inform

the public about their rights & and roles, and ensure quality monitoring”

Article 61 (2), mandates the Election Commission to conduct general elections for Presidential,

Parliamentary, & LC elections within the first 30 days of the last 122 days before the expiration

of the term of the President, Parliament or Local Gov't Councils.

EC launched the 2025/26 General Elections Road Map on August 2nd, 2023, setting particular

timelines for purposes of proper planning, management, and organization of elections.

The estimates by EC is that that there will be more than 40,000 polling stations during the 2026

general elections