In a bid to improve voter accessibility and enhance election integrity, the Electoral Commission has begun issuing Voter Location Slips (VLS) to voters across Uganda ahead of the 2026 General Elections. The VLS is designed to help citizens easily locate their polling stations and confirm their registration details before casting their votes.

The slips contain key voter information, including photograph, names, date of birth, and location details such as district/city, constituency, sub-county, parish, and polling station. Each VLS also features a unique barcode, which will be scanned by the Biometric Voter Verification (BVV) machines during polling.

The issuance of VLS commenced on 15th December 2025 and will conclude on 13th January 2026. The exercise is being coordinated at Parish and Ward levels, with voters instructed to collect their slips in person from their respective Parish/Ward Supervisors, who are employees of the Electoral Commission. The Commission stressed, “this Voter location slip (VLS) is free of charge and should only be picked by the voter in person from the Parish/Ward Supervisor.” Voters are also advised to keep the VLS secure, ensuring that the barcode is not tampered with, as it is crucial for the verification process.

The VLS will be used for all four rounds of the 2026 General Elections, including:

  • Presidential and Parliamentary elections
  • District/City Chairpersons and Councillors elections
  • Municipality/City Division Chairpersons and Councillors elections
  • Sub-county/Town/Municipal Division Chairpersons and Councillors elections

In addition to the VLS, the Commission has acquired 109,142 Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) to be deployed nationwide. The BVVK uses fingerprints and facial recognition to confirm voter identity, ensuring that only registered persons vote and preventing double voting. Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, explained, “The system will enable the Commission to ensure that only registered persons vote during the elections and that such persons (voters) do not vote more than once for the same election, hence it will help the Commission achieve the One-Man/Woman-One Vote principle.”

Today, the Commission also conducted a public demonstration of the BVVK, aimed at sensitizing stakeholders on polling day procedures and the use of biometric and facial recognition technology. The demonstration allowed participants to observe, ask questions, and gain confidence in the integrity of the voter verification process. Justice Byabakama added that the demonstration seeks to “promote understanding of how technology enhances the credibility, integrity, and efficiency of elections,” and to reassure the public that safeguards are in place to prevent impersonation and electoral malpractice.

The Electoral Commission is encouraging all registered voters to collect their VLS promptly to avoid delays on polling day and ensure smooth participation in the 2026 elections.