The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a strong warning to Ugandans against lingering at polling stations after casting their ballots, cautioning that such actions could spark chaos and threaten public order during the January 15, 2026 general elections.
The advisory comes amid growing political tension following repeated calls by opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Kyagulanyi has urged his supporters to remain at polling stations after voting, arguing that their presence is necessary to “protect the vote” and prevent electoral malpractice.
Addressing journalists, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the Commission’s position is firmly grounded in electoral law and past experience, stressing that its intention is to preserve peace rather than influence election outcomes.
“You are losing sleep and even failing to eat because you are worried that your victory will be rigged if you do not stay at the polling station after voting. You are going to die of pressure for no reason,” Byabakama remarked, pushing back against claims that voters must physically guard ballot boxes to ensure transparency.
Byabakama explained that although the law allows voters to remain at least 20 metres away from the polling table, extended gatherings of supporters from rival political camps have historically created fertile ground for confrontation.
“Based on experience from previous elections, when people who support different candidates stay in the same place for hours, can anyone guarantee that chaos will not break out?” he asked.
According to the EC chairperson, the Commission’s recommendation that voters return home immediately after voting is a preventive measure designed to minimize tensions, reduce crowding, and avert possible violence at polling stations.
Byabakama further clarified that voters are not being excluded from the electoral process once voting ends. He noted that those interested in observing vote counting are free to return at the appropriate time.
“When it is time for counting, you can return and witness the process. We are encouraging this to prevent disorder and violence—not because we intend to rig the vote in favour of any candidate. Your agents are present, and they are allowed to remain inside the polling station throughout the day,” he said.
The warning comes against the backdrop of lingering mistrust between the opposition and the Electoral Commission. Bobi Wine has consistently accused the EC of bias, particularly referencing the 2021 general elections in which he lost to incumbent President Yoweri Museveni. As the 2026 polls approach, Kyagulanyi has intensified his mobilization efforts, urging supporters to turn out in large numbers, vote for him, and remain at polling stations as both a protest and a means of vigilance.
While the Presidential Elections Act permits voters to stay within a 20-metre radius of polling areas, the EC maintains that dispersing after voting is the safest and most responsible course of action. The Commission argues that peace, order, and confidence in the electoral process are best safeguarded through lawful observation mechanisms, including accredited polling agents and regulated vote counting procedures.
As Uganda heads toward another high-stakes election, the EC says cooperation from voters and political actors alike will be critical in ensuring a calm, credible, and violence-free electoral process.
