The Electoral Commission (EC) has directed all election field officials to immediately conduct community-level voter education on polling procedures ahead of the 2026 General Elections, scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026.
In an official circular dated 12th January 2026, addressed to Regional Election Officers, District Election Administrators, and Assistant Returning Officers, the Commission instructed that voter education activities must be carried out on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th January 2026, just days before polling.
The directive emphasizes that voter education is mandatory and must be implemented with full diligence across all parishes and sub-counties nationwide.
Mandatory Community Outreach Before Polling Day
According to the circular, Parish Supervisors and Sub-county Supervisors are required to move into their respective communities to explain polling day procedures clearly and consistently.
The Electoral Commission noted that the purpose of the outreach is to ensure voters understand:
- How voting will be conducted on polling day, and
- That biometric verification using the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK) is compulsory for every voter.
The Commission stressed that every voter must be verified biometrically before being issued ballot papers. Reinforcing safeguards against impersonation and electoral fraud.
Demonstrations on How to Mark Ballot Papers
The circular further instructs election supervisors to conduct practical demonstrations showing voters how to correctly mark ballot papers.
The EC clarified that each ballot paper contains four columns, which include:
- The candidate’s name
- The candidate’s photograph
- The candidate’s symbol
- An empty box for marking the voter’s choice
Voters are allowed to mark their choice using only one authorised method — either a tick or a thumbprint.
“No other mark is permitted,” the Commission warned, adding that voters must not place any additional marks anywhere on the ballot paper.
When a Vote Is Valid or Invalid
The Electoral Commission explained that the authorised mark must be placed inside the box corresponding to the chosen candidate. Any mark that falls outside the box or crosses into another candidate’s box will render the vote invalid.
However, the Commission also clarified that a ballot paper will still be considered valid if the authorised mark is placed on:
- The candidate’s name,
- The candidate’s photograph, or
- The candidate’s symbol,
provided that the voter’s intention is clear.
This clarification is intended to reduce the number of rejected ballots during counting.
EC Demands Full Compliance From Field Officers
The circular, signed by Kamugisha Richard Baabo, the Acting Secretary of the Electoral Commission, underscores that the outreach exercise is compulsory and forms a critical part of preparations for the 2026 General Elections.
“All officers are expected to fully cooperate and diligently implement this directive,” the Commission stated.
Copies of the circular were shared with the EC Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Commissioners, Directors, and Heads of Departments and Units.
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