What to do at the polling station.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has released detailed guidelines to help voters smoothly participate in the January 15 polls, urging all registered voters to arrive at their polling stations on time and follow the prescribed voting procedures.

According to the Commission, voting will take place at the polling station where a voter is registered. Voters are required to present either a National Identification Card or a Voter Location Slip. In cases where a voter does not have either document, the Presiding Officer will assist by confirming the voter’s details from the National Voters Register.

The EC further explained that voter identification will be conducted using the Biometric Voter Verification System. This involves scanning a voter’s fingerprints or face to confirm their identity before being allowed to vote.

Once verified, the Presiding Officer will scan and issue the appropriate ballot papers to the voter. The voter will then proceed to the voting basin and mark the candidate of their choice for each elective position, using either a tick or a thumbprint.

After marking the ballot, voters are required to fold the paper as instructed and insert it into the designated ballot box for each respective elective position. A Polling Assistant will then mark the voter’s finger with indelible ink to indicate that they have voted.

Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi emphasized the importance of following the guidelines to ensure a free, fair, and orderly election.

“Polling stations will open at exactly 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Voters are encouraged to come early, carry the required identification, and follow instructions from polling officials to avoid delays,” Mucunguzi said.

He also reminded voters that participating in the election is both a civic duty and a constitutional right.

“We call upon all eligible voters to turn up in large numbers on January 15 and peacefully exercise their right to choose leaders of their choice,” Mucunguzi added.