EC Sets February 4, 2026 for Pending Local Government Elections

The Electoral Commission (EC) has set February 4, 2026, as the polling date for local government elections in areas where voting was not conducted or was not concluded during the previously scheduled polls.  In a circular dated January 31, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the elections will cover positions of chairpersons, directly elected councillors, women councillors, and councillors representing Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

The exercise will be conducted at the city and district levels, as well as in municipalities, city divisions, sub-counties, towns, and municipal divisions. Justice Byabakama explained that the decision applies strictly to electoral areas where polls failed to take place or were not concluded on the appointed dates due to unforeseen circumstances, including ballot paper errors and related irregularities.

In Arua City, the election for the Bazaar Ward female councillor seat was cancelled after ballot papers were found to bear the wrong name and photograph of a candidate. The two candidates contesting for the seat—Zuria Adukudua Gutru of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Zabibu Alias of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)—had earlier expressed disappointment about irregularities.

The candidates are now awaiting the newly appointed polling date to determine the outcome of the race.  According to the Electoral Commission, polling will take place at all designated polling stations within the affected electoral areas, while electoral colleges will be used for Special Interest Group elections.

The EC further advised that voting will run from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., after which vote counting will begin immediately, followed by the declaration of results upon completion of the tally.