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Features

Voter education is implemented to provide information sharing through conferences and
citizens/voters with basic information on elections. seminars, election observation missions, extension
During electoral processes, the Commission of voter education and awareness initiatives.
accredits partner organisations and institutions Benchmarking fellow EMBs has also been
to supplement and strengthen their efforts in undertaken to draw lessons on best and effective
disseminating voter information. Voter education practices in election management and delivery.
should not be biased to benefit a specific Prior to elections, sample surveys have been done
stakeholder but to provide relevant information to to gauge whether the public is aware of the ongoing
enable the voters make informed choices in aspects electoral programmes and what is expected of them.
like: The Electoral Commission operates within the
a. The electoral system of Uganda; resources from Government and supplementary
b. How, why and when to register to participate in support from development partners to implement
elections; some best practices and strategies in voter
c. The electoral program; education and awareness creation. As seen from the
d. How to mark the ballot; recently concluded 2020/2021 General Elections,
e. To empower communities at grass root level the following initiatives were applied to register
with information on the independence and success:
freedom of choice as a voter, among other
information. Initiatives for Effective Conduct
of Voter Education and Public
Collaborations and Partnerships Awareness
for Voter Education and Awareness
Since its establishment, the Commission has • Voter education outreaches
been collaborating with stakeholders at the local, Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the
regional (East African Community, Great Lakes Commission staff in all the one hundred
Region) and at other International levels like and forty-six (146) districts used to engage
African Union (AU), Commonwealth, Association of in regular public outreach programmes to
World Election Bodies extend voter related
(AWEB), International information to groups
Foundation for Strategic partnerships have been made with like market vendors,
Electoral Systems public and private organisations, the business Local Government
(IFES), and United community, development partners, non- Councillors, public
Nations Development government and civil society organisations, and servants, motorcycle
Programme (UNDP), the media, among others, to ensure an informed (boda boda) riders, local
among others, in electorate and peaceful elections in Uganda. leaders, local savings
the promotion of and credit (SACCO)
democratic principles. groups, special interest
Strategic partnerships have been made with groups, faith-based groups, security agencies,
public and private organisations, the business transporters’ organisations, local communities,
community, development partners, non-government factory workers, Members of Parliament,
and civil society organisations, and the media, students, farmers groups, sports fraternities,
among others, to ensure an informed electorate and opinion leaders, media, cultural leaders and
peaceful elections in Uganda. the business community. These initiatives will
Partnerships are beneficial in mobilization, resume with full adherence to the COVID-19
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as

October 2022 | VoICE International | 21