The Electoral Commission was set up under Article 60 of the 1995 Constitution of The Republic of Uganda. It consists of the Chairman, Deputy Chairperson and five other members appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament and a Secretariat headed by the Secretary.
Details covering The Commissions establishment and mandate can be accessed in Articles 60 to 67 inclusive.
The functions of the EC are outlined under Article 61 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as follows;
(a) To ensure that regular, free and fair elections are held;
(b) To organize, conduct and supervise elections and referenda in accordance with the Constitution;
(c) To demarcate constituencies in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution;
(d) To ascertain, publish and declare in writing under its seal the results of the elections and referenda;
(e) To compile, maintain, revise and update the voters’ register;
(f) To hear and determine election complaints arising before and during polling;
(g) To formulate and implement voter educational programmes relating to elections; and
(h) To perform such other functions as may be prescribed by Parliament by law;
Mission: "To organise and conduct regular free and fair elections and referenda professionally, impartially, and efficiently"
Vision: "To be a model Institution and center of excellence in election management”
Goal: “To promote participatory democracy and good governance for the country’s prosperity.”
Activities of the Electoral Commission
1. Organising, conducting and supervising various elections and referenda;
2. Compiling, maintaining, revising and updating:
a) The National Voters’ Register on a continuous basis
b) The various registers for Special Interest Groups
3. Producing and issuing voters’ cards;
4. Compiling and updating the various Voters’ Registers for Special Interest Groups and Administrative units;
5. Developing effective civic education programmes related to elections;
6. Reviewing all electoral laws in order to come up with appropriate recommendations on amendments;
7. Recruiting qualified personnel and training them in the management of elections;
8. Hearing and determining election complaints arising before and during polling; and
9. Demarcating of constituencies and electoral areas.
