The Electoral Commission (EC) reveals that fresh polls for the the election of LCIII chairpersons will be held on March 12, 2026, in areas where voting collapsed due to confusion, faulty machines, and ballot errors. According to the Acting Secretary Richard Baabo Kamugisha, the Commission admitted that elections for LCIII chairpersons and councillors were not […]
The Electoral Commission (EC) reveals that fresh polls for the the election of LCIII chairpersons will be held on March 12, 2026, in areas where voting collapsed due to confusion, faulty machines, and ballot errors.
According to the Acting Secretary Richard Baabo Kamugisha, the Commission admitted that elections for LCIII chairpersons and councillors were not completed in several sub-counties, town councils, and municipal divisions.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, the Commission is determined to fix the irregularities and ensure that no affected area is left out.
“The EC will carry out residual elections on 12th March in areas where elections for LCIII, Town Council, and Municipal Division Chairpersons and councillors were not held for various reasons,” Mucunguzi said
He also noted that all District Returning Officers and staff at every level have been instructed to make sure the exercise is comprehensive and inclusive.
The disruptions were reportedly caused by mismatched candidate photographs on ballot materials, confusion over party symbols, malfunctioning Biometric Voter Verification Kits, tied results that required fresh polls, and incomplete or disputed electoral boundaries. In rural areas, where many voters depend on photos and symbols to identify candidates, the errors are said to have created significant confusion, raising fresh concerns about preparedness and equipment maintenance.
LCIII leaders play a crucial role in local governance, supervising service delivery, development planning, and oversight of lower councils. Delays in electing them can stall budgets and slow implementation of key government programmes, including the Parish Development Model.
The Commission says it is acting under Article 61 of the Constitution, as well as the Local Governments Act and the Electoral Commission Act, which empower it to organise fresh elections where polls fail or remain incomplete. District officials have now been directed to intensify voter sensitisation ahead of the March 12 exercise, as attention shifts to whether the second attempt will run smoothly.
