2026 Elections: Electoral Commission Receives Presidential and MP Ballot Papers

Entebbe – The Electoral Commission (EC) of Uganda has received a consignment of ballot papers for the forthcoming 2026 General Election, as preparations intensify for voting in January.

According to the EC, at least 193 pallets of presidential ballot papers arrived on Christmas Eve, a delivery witnessed by representatives of presidential candidates, political parties, accredited election observers, and members of the media. The EC expects the parliamentary ballot papers to arrive by Christmas Day.

Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, emphasised the importance of transparency in the process. “The delivery of these ballot papers is a critical step in ensuring that the elections are free, fair, and credible,” he said.

In parallel, the Commission has begun receiving ballot papers for Directly Elected Members of Parliament at Entebbe International Airport. EC officials are also conducting training and sensitisation on the use of biometric verification machines to guarantee that every voter is accurately identified at polling stations.

Paul Bukenya of the EC highlighted, “Every voter in the upcoming 2026 elections must be biometrically verified. This is crucial to enhancing the integrity of our elections.”

To further safeguard the process, opposition leader Norbert Mao recently signed the Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations, 2025. “Anybody, including Presiding Officers, who tampers with the BVV Kit will go to jail,” Mao stated, stressing the legal measures in place to protect voter identity and election integrity.

The Electoral Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability, transparency, and professionalism as Uganda heads into the 2026 polls under heightened scrutiny from political stakeholders and the public.