EC to Demarcate New Polling Stations Ahead of 2025-2026 Elections

The Electoral Commission (EC), in collaboration with various stakeholders, met to discuss the demarcation of new polling stations, scheduled to commence in August.

Originally scheduled to begin in July, the exercise will put focus on districts and cities where new administrative units, parishes, towns, and sub-counties were established after the 2020-2021 general elections.

The EC estimates that the number of polling stations will increase from the current 34,000 to 40,000, adding more than 6,000 new polling stations. The EC will also consider factors such as communication means, geographical features, and population density during the demarcation exercise.

Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC Chairperson, emphasized the importance of organizing polling stations, in line with Section 33, Subsection 1 of the Electoral Commission Act. He explained that this ensures a manageable number of voters per polling station and provides easy accessibility and adequate space at each location.

He noted that the demarcation of electoral areas for the 2025-2026 elections aims to clearly define the areas of representation for Directly Elected Councilors, Women Councilors, and Councilors representing Special Interest Groups in various Local Government Councils.

Justice Byabakama also cautioned authorities against creating new administrative units during this period.

The reorganization of polling stations will involve shifting, renaming, creating, and merging polling stations.

Stakeholders have raised concerns about the increase in the number of elected leaders, projected to rise from 2.9 million to 3.3 million. They argue that this will lead to higher administrative costs.

The creation of new electoral areas is attributed to the growing voter population since the 2021 general elections.

The EC has maintained the election dates, set between January 12, 2026, and February 9, 2026, for presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections. Nominations for all categories of elective positions are scheduled to run from September 17, 2025, to October 3, 2025.