Mbale Residents Urged to Register for LC I, II and Women Council Elections

MBALE CITY – The Electoral Commission has appealed to residents of Mbale City to actively participate in the upcoming five-day voter registration exercise ahead of the Local Council I (LC I), Local Council II (LC II), and Women Council elections, emphasizing that registration is a prerequisite for both voting and contesting in the grassroots polls.

Addressing journalists at the Electoral Commission offices in Mbale City on Friday, the Mbale City Returning Officer, Michael Arinaitwe, announced that the voter registration exercise will take place from Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 10, 2026, covering all 389 villages in the city.

Arinaitwe explained that the exercise is intended to update the village voters' register to ensure it accurately reflects the current electorate ahead of the elections. He said the Commission will register Ugandans who have attained the age of 18 since the last general elections, facilitate the transfer of voters who have relocated to new villages, and remove the names of deceased persons from the register.

He urged all eligible residents to take advantage of the registration period, warning that failure to register would automatically disqualify individuals from participating in the elections either as voters or candidates.

"I encourage all eligible residents to spare time from their busy schedules and register. If your name is not on the village register, you will not be eligible to vote or contest for office," Arinaitwe said.

He stressed that participation in the exercise is not merely an administrative process but a civic responsibility that enables citizens to influence leadership at the grassroots level through democratic elections.

According to Arinaitwe, the updated village voters' register will later be displayed publicly before the nomination of candidates, giving residents an opportunity to verify their particulars and raise any concerns in accordance with the Electoral Commission's roadmap for the elections.

LC I Elections to Use Lining-Up Voting Method

The Returning Officer also clarified the voting procedure that will be used during the LC I chairperson elections, noting that the Electoral Commission will apply the traditional lining-up method prescribed under Section 111(2) of the Local Government Act, Cap. 243 (as amended).

Under this system, voters cast their vote by lining up behind their preferred candidate, the candidate's representative, portrait or designated symbol. The method has previously been used in village elections and is intended to simplify voting at the grassroots level.

Candidate Qualifications

Arinaitwe outlined the eligibility requirements for individuals intending to contest for LC I and LC II leadership positions.

He said every nominee must be a Ugandan citizen who is at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and a resident of the village where he or she intends to contest.

He further noted that public servants are prohibited from contesting in the elections while still serving in government employment.

Unlike parliamentary and other higher elective positions, candidates seeking LC I and LC II offices will not be required to pay nomination fees or possess minimum academic qualifications.

The Returning Officer said these provisions are intended to promote wider participation and ensure that leadership opportunities remain accessible to all eligible community members.

Warning Against Premature Campaigns

Arinaitwe cautioned political hopefuls against engaging in early campaigns, emphasizing that the Electoral Commission has not yet nominated candidates for the elections.

He warned that anyone soliciting votes or presenting themselves as a candidate before the official nomination period would be violating electoral laws and could face arrest.

"We do not have aspirants at this stage. Anyone conducting campaigns before nomination is breaking the law and risks arrest," he warned.

He urged all interested candidates to comply with the electoral timetable and wait until the official nomination period before launching campaign activities.

Electoral Commission Ready for the Exercise

Arinaitwe assured residents that the Electoral Commission has finalized preparations for the registration exercise and will provide all the necessary election materials to facilitate the process across the city's 389 villages.

He added that candidate nominations will be conducted physically at designated division headquarters in accordance with the official election programme issued by the Commission.

The voter registration exercise forms part of the Electoral Commission's nationwide preparations for the LC I, LC II and Women Council elections, which are expected to strengthen grassroots governance by enabling communities to elect leaders responsible for mobilizing residents, promoting local development and resolving community issues.

The Commission has called upon all eligible citizens to participate in the exercise, emphasizing that an accurate and credible village voters' register is essential for conducting free, fair and transparent elections.

Residents have also been encouraged to verify their registration details during the display period to ensure that no eligible voter is left out before polling day.

Source: Meddie Musosi