The Electoral Commission (EC) has banned voters from carrying or waving the national flag at polling stations, warning that the country’s national symbols must not be used for political mobilisation during voting.
EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama announced the directive yesterday, saying the national flag is a state symbol and not a campaign tool.
‘The national flag belongs to all Ugandans. It is not campaign material and must not be brought to polling stations,’ Justice Byabakama said during a media briefing in Kampala.
He said the use of the national flag in political activities is regulated under the National Flag and Armorial Ensigns Act (Cap 254), which prohibits the unauthorised use of national symbols for political or commercial purposes without express permission from the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
In addition to the flag ban, the Commission also prohibited voters from wearing party-branded clothing, carrying candidate portraits, or displaying party colours at polling stations.
Justice Byabakama said the measures are intended to preserve neutrality and order at more than 50,000 polling stations across the country.
‘Polling stations must remain neutral ground. Voters are advised to leave party attire, symbols, and candidate portraits at home,’ he said.
The call by the EC boss comes at a time when there is friction on the use of the national flag, with the Opposition political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), urging its supporters to carry the national flag as a symbol of patriotism.
Throngs of supporters on streets and rally venues often cheerfully wave full-length or mini versions of the flag, as they praise NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, who himself, on a daily basis waves the national flag.
The widespread use of the national flag by the NUP party during its rallies countrywide has prompted a warning by security agencies on misuse and possible prosecution.
Biometric verification
The EC also confirmed the mandatory use of the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK) for the Thursday polls, saying the technology is aimed at strengthening electoral integrity.
The upgraded system will verify voters using both fingerprint and facial recognition, in line with the principle of ‘one person, one vote’.
Justice Byabakama said facial recognition will serve as a secondary verification method, particularly benefiting elderly voters and persons with disabilities whose fingerprints may be unreadable.
‘If fingerprint verification fails, the system will automatically switch to facial recognition to ensure that no eligible voter is turned away because of physical limitations,’ he said, adding that backup biometric kits will be deployed at polling stations to address any technical failures on the voting day.
Invalid votes concern
The Commission also raised concern over the high number of invalid votes recorded in previous elections. Justice Byabakama warned that a ballot paper will only be considered valid if the voter’s choice is clear and unambiguous.
‘Any mark that crosses into more than one box, signatures on the ballot paper, or messages written by voters will automatically invalidate the vote,’ he said.
To ensure compliance with voting procedures, the EC said each polling station will be staffed by seven election officials, including a police constable dressed in distinctive EC attire. Speaking at the same event, EC Deputy Chairperson, Ms Aisha Lubega, urged voters to follow the guidelines strictly.
‘The technology is ready, the systems are in place, but the success of the election day will depend on voters following firm instructions,’ she said.