EC starts packing presidential ballot papers ahead of 2026 polls

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has today, December 29, 2025, started the packing of Presidential ballot papers as part of ongoing preparations for the forthcoming 2026 General Election.

The move follows the body mandated to oversee national elections receiving the first consignment of presidential ballot papers, which arrived aboard a chartered aircraft from Dubai at Entebbe International Airport on December 24.

The shipment comprised 193 pallets of presidential ballot papers and was received by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, his deputy Aisha Lubega, commissioner Stephen Tashobya, other senior commission staff, stakeholders and independent observers.

According to EC, the ballot paper packing today was witnessed by representatives of political parties and candidates, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive stakeholder participation throughout the electoral process.

The ballot papers were printed by Dubai-based Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company, one of the firms that earlier this year successfully won the tender to print ballot papers and declaration of results forms.

Although the total number of registered voters stands at 21,681,491, Byabakama said the number of ballot papers printed is slightly higher than the voter register.

"Because if a voter inadvertently or unintentionally spoils his or her ballot paper before casting it in the ballot box, the law allows him or her to return it to the presiding officer and get another ballot paper. That is why we print a higher number of ballot papers than the number of registered voters," Byabakama explained.

After offloading, the ballot paper pallets were transported from Entebbe Airport to the EC warehouses, as the commission awaits another consignment of ballot papers for Members of Parliament, expected to arrive on Thursday, December 25.