Last call to get on the voters’ register

As the general elections draw closer, the country is already saturated by politics. Ideally, it should be obvious for Ugandans of voting age – 18 years and above – to ensure they are on the national voters’ register. But this is not always the case. That is why we are appealing to those who have not yet registered to do so today – the last day of the exercise.
For months now, civil society organisations, notably the Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy (CCEDU), have been carrying out civic education in different parts of the country through public events, community radios, newspapers, etc., to inform Ugandans – particularly the youth – about the voter registration exercise. The purpose is simple: It is the duty of every Ugandan who has attained voting age to elect the country’s leaders. But you cannot vote if you are not on the national voters’ register.
While civil society organisations and the Electoral Commission (EC) have carried out awareness; there are still gaps in information flow on participation in the elections as voters. As CCEDU’s coordinator, Mr Crispy Kaheru, says, it is mostly the young people who have consistently shunned electoral processes in previous election cycles.
This revelation is telling and highlights gaps that must be bridged before next year’s elections. According to CCEDU projections, “this is going to be the first register in Uganda’s history that will carry the highest number of young voters. It is estimated that more than 60 per cent of the people on the register will be aged between 18 and 40 years.’
The challenge, therefore, is: how do we ensure this significant bloc of the young vote will participate in next year’s elections, given that this is the very age group that have shunned past elections? The primary task is to ensure all eligible Ugandans, especially young people, register to vote; similarly, those who want to verify their details, or switch to new voting locations, should complete the exercise today.
The EC last week extended the national voters’ register update exercise, which was slated to end on April 30, to May 4. This is, therefore, your last opportunity to register to vote in next year’s polls. Participating in this vote is hugely significant; that is why we must seriously tackle the underlying issues that deter young people from participating in elections.
While registering to vote is crucial; casting your ballot is even more significant. But you cannot vote if you don’t register. By disenfranchising yourself, you are ceding your responsibility of shaping Uganda’s future by using your vote to demand better service delivery, democracy and economic development.

The issue: Voters’ register update
Our view: This is your last opportunity to register to vote in next year’s polls. Participating in this vote is hugely significant; that is why we must seriously tackle the underlying issues that deter young people from participating in elections.