Electoral Commission takes delivery of 60,000 biometric kits for 2026 polls
The consignment of 60,000 kits arrived at Entebbe International Airport last night and was officially received by the EC Chairperson, Justice Byabakama
In a significant step towards preparing for the 2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has taken delivery of the first batch of new Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs).
The consignment of 60,000 kits arrived at Entebbe International Airport last night and was officially received by the EC Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, who was accompanied by a team of fellow Commissioners.
The advanced kits are a cornerstone of the Commission’s strategy to enhance the integrity and credibility of the upcoming electoral process. They will be deployed to polling stations across the country to biometrically verify the identity of each voter before they are issued a ballot paper.
Julius Mucunguzi, the Head of Public Relations and Spokesperson for the Electoral Commission, confirmed the development. He emphasized that the technology is critical for upholding the fundamental principle of “one man, one vote.”
“The kits will be used to biometrically verify each and every voter before being given a ballot paper,” Mucunguzi stated. “This is to ensure a 100 percent adherence to the principle of ‘one man/woman, one vote’ and to enhance the integrity and credibility of the elections.”
The acquisition of the BVVKs represents a major logistical and technological upgrade for the electoral body. Biometric verification, which uses unique physical characteristics like fingerprints, is designed to prevent instances of impersonation and multiple voting, which have been concerns in previous elections.
This milestone underscores the Commission’s stated commitment to leveraging technology to foster transparency and public trust in the democratic process. The EC is expected to soon begin the process of testing, configuring, and training its staff on the operation of the new kits ahead of the 2026 polls.
The delivery of the first batch suggests further consignments may be expected as the Commission works to equip all polling stations nationwide with the new technology.
