The Independent Electoral Commission (EC) has started sensitizing different stakeholders on the importance and procedures for the demarcation of electoral areas for Local Government Council elections.
The commission has also embarked on the process of re-organizing polling stations in preparation for the 2025/26 general elections.
According to the Commission Secretary Leonard Mulekwa, this morning different stakeholders will take part in different workshops across the country with the first of its nature starting off this morning in Kampala.
In a keynote address at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on Demarcation of Electoral Areas and Reorganization of Polling Stations, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, emphasized the importance of the demarcation exercise.
“The purpose of the demarcation exercise is to clearly define the areas of representation for Directly Elected Councillors, Women Councillors, and Councillors representing Special Interest Groups in various Local Governments Councils,” Justice Byabakama explained.
The demarcation exercise, which was initially scheduled to commence in August 2023, has been delayed due to funding constraints. However, the EC has assured stakeholders that the process will be completed in August 2024.
“We are now set to commence the demarcation of electoral areas for purposes of the 2025-2026 Local Governments Councils elections. This activity ought to have been commenced at the beginning of this month as per the road map but it will now take place in August 2024,” Justice Byabakama said.
The EC has also announced plans to reorganize polling stations across the country, a move aimed at ensuring that each parish and electoral area has at least one polling station.