As Uganda prepares for its 2026 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has issued clear guidelines that every voter must follow on polling day to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process. The elections are set to begin on January 15, 2026, when voters will elect the President and Members of Parliament, with further elections for regional youth representatives to follow. 7 Key Guidelines for Polling Day Vote at Your Registered Polling Station Voters must go only to the polling station where they are officially registered to cast their ballot. Present Your Identification Every voter must present either their National ID or Voter Location Slip. If

a voter does not have either document, the Presiding Officer will verify their identity using the National Voter Register. Mandatory Biometric Verification Identity verification will be done using the Biometric Voter Verification Machine, either through fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, before any ballot is issued. Ballot Papers Issued After Verification Once identity is confirmed, the Presiding Officer will scan and issue the appropriate ballot papers for the positions the voter is eligible to vote for. Mark Your Choice Correctly Voters must mark their chosen candidate in the voting booth, using either a tick or a thumbprint for each elective office. Insert Ballot Papers in the Correct Boxes After marking, each ballot must be carefully folded and placed in the correct ballot box for that elective position. Finger Marking After Voting Once a voter has cast their ballots, a Polling Assistant will mark the voter’s finger with indelible ink to indicate that they have voted, preventing double voting. Polling Times and Closing Polling stations will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on election day. Voters are encouraged to arrive early and ensure they bring all required documents to avoid delays.