Yesterday August 28, The Electoral commission announced that it will embark on the process of reorganising polling stations in preparation of the upcoming general elections in 2021.
In a press conference held at Electoral Commission Headquarters in Kampala today, Chairman of the Commission Justice Simon Byamukama revealed that they are projecting to have 35000 polling stations around the country, an increment of over 7000 from what were designated in the previous general elections of 2016.
The exercise will also include voter education, where the public will be furnished with information about all the activities of the commission, as well as asking for their involvement in the organisation of the polling stations.
“Voter education is one area where the commission is putting much emphasis, publicity of all our activities, and letting people be part of every process. We want Ugandans to own their elections,” Byamukama said during the presser today.
When asked about how much this process will cost the taxpayer, Byamukama referred the question to the Commission’s Accounting Officer Sam Asiimwe Rwakoojo, who said that the process will cost between Shs9 to 10 billion, although part of this cost will go on into the next phase of elections.
Byamukama also said that the EC is working with the communities and LC chairpersons to tackle and stamp out the monster that is election violence. He said that this will be essential in achieving organising credible free and fair elections without violence.
