The Electoral Commission has noted the concern expressed by members of the public, civil society organisations, candidates and political parties, over the non issuance of Voters’ Cards to persons who registered as voters but have not yet received their cards.

In March 2010, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, signed a contract with Mulhbauer High Tech International of Germany, for the purpose of implementing the National Security Information System (NSIS) Project, which is designed to register all Ugandan citizens and issue them with National Identification Cards.

The Electoral Commission used the project equipment for purposes of registering eligible voters during the exercise of update of the National Voters’ Register conducted between 4th May and 18^th June, 2010.

The Electoral Commission has since integrated the data of the new voters into the existing voters’ register database, and an updated National Voters’ Register, bearing their names and photographs, was displayed countrywide from 3^rd August until 31^st August 2010.

The Electoral Commission shall not issue voter cards to newly registered voters because they will be the first category of Ugandans to be issued with the National Identity Cards, which shall be produced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Furthermore, the Commission shall not issue Voters’ Cards to persons who were registered much earlier, and had not received their Voters’ Cards, and those who 2 lost their cards and requested for replacement. This is because the old (voter card) system is being phased out following the introduction of the National Identity Card Project.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs shall guide the nation on the procedures concerning issuance of National Identity Cards to all Ugandan citizens after the 2011 General Elections.

For avoidance of doubt, the Commission would like to emphasise that the National Voters’ Register, and not the Voters’ Card, shall be the basis for voting during the 2011 General Elections.

Accordingly, only registered voters will be allowed to vote at the polling station  where they are registered, and this shall include persons whose particulars and photographs appear on the National Voters’ Register, whether they have a  Voters’ Card or not, as per Section 34 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, (as  amended).

Further to the above, and in accordance with Section 35 of the Presidential Elections Act (as amended), a person who has a Voters’ Card and whose  particulars appear on the National Voters’ Register, but whose photograph is  missing, shall also be allowed to vote, after proper identification.

By Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu

Chairperson, Electoral Commission Uganda