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Byabakama addressing the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee
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Electoral Commission Excludes Over One Million Young Ugandans from 2026 General Elections
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), has announced that Ugandans who turn 18 after February 10, 2025, will not be eligible to vote in the 2026 general elections. The Commission cited the need for adequate time to finalize the National Voters' Register and determine the number of ballot papers to print ahead of the polls.
Byabakama made this statement while addressing the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee during the consideration of the EC's 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper. He emphasized that only individuals who reach the voting age by the stated cutoff date will be included in the Voters' Register for the upcoming elections.
This decision has sparked criticism from various stakeholders, including Tim Chemonges, Associate Director at the Centre for Policy Analysis. Chemonges highlighted that the move effectively disenfranchises over one million young Ugandans who will turn 18 before the 2026 elections, denying them their constitutional right to vote.
“Uganda's population is predominantly youthful, as reflected in the 2024 Census report. This decision raises critical questions about fairness and inclusivity in our electoral process,” Chemonges stated.
The exclusion of these potential voters has reignited discussions on how electoral timelines affect the democratic rights of Uganda’s growing youth population. Critics argue that the Electoral Commission should explore measures to ensure that all eligible citizens, including those turning 18 in 2025, are allowed to participate in shaping the country’s future.
The Commission has yet to respond to calls for reconsideration of the decision.
Torch Media Africa
