By The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the deployment of more than 109,000 Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) across the country as a key measure to strengthen transparency, integrity and credibility in the 2026 General Elections.
Speaking at the Commission headquarters on Wednesday, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said the Commission has acquired 109,142 improved biometric kits, which will be deployed at all polling stations to authenticate voters and prevent electoral malpractice.
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The BVVKs will use fingerprint and facial recognition technology to verify voters’ identities before ballot papers are issued, ensuring that only registered voters participate in the elections and that no individual votes more than once.
“The system will help us enforce the one-man, one-woman, one-vote principle,” Justice Byabakama said, noting that biometric verification will be mandatory for all voters on polling day.
In addition to voter authentication, the kits will also be used to verify ballot papers after polling closes to detect any illegitimate or stuffed ballots before counting begins. Unverifiable ballots will be isolated and recorded in the official report books.
Justice Byabakama said the Commission is already conducting nationwide training for election officials who will operate the kits at polling stations, from the national level down to parish level. A public demonstration of the system was also conducted to familiarise political parties, civil society, observers and the media with polling day procedures.
The EC assured voters that the biometric system does not compromise the secrecy of the ballot, stressing that the kits only confirm voter eligibility and ballot authenticity, without recording how any individual voted.
The Commission also revealed that each polling station will be equipped with a primary and backup device, as well as power banks, to ensure uninterrupted voting in the event of technical or power challenges.
The deployment of the BVVKs comes as part of broader preparations for the January 15, 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as subsequent local government polls.
The EC urged Ugandans to embrace the technology, collect their Voter Location Slips from parish and ward offices, and turn up in large numbers to participate peacefully in the upcoming elections.
“Technology is being used to improve trust, efficiency and transparency in the electoral process,” Justice Byabakama said, calling on all stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts.
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