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Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations

Statutory Instrument 98 of 2025 Current version · as at 24 December 2025
Enacted2025
Commenced24 December 2025
Last amended—
Point-in-time consolidation · as at 24 December 2025. This page may not reflect amendments made after that date. Confirm the current position against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.

About this Act

A full descriptive summary for this Act has not been recorded yet.

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Type
Principal Legislation
Status
In force
Language
English

Full text of the Act

0 parts · 8 sections

Enhanced Annotated View adds approved, source-linked propositions, operative requirements, judicial passages, related provisions, amendment notes and authority status. Choose Original PDF to inspect the source consolidation.

Uganda

Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations

Commenced on 24 December 2025

[This is the version of this document at 24 December 2025.]

1. Citation

These Regulations may be cited as the Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations,

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Citation”.

“These Regulations may be cited as the Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations,”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. These Regulations may be cited as the Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Biometric Voter Verification System) Regulations,
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

2. Application of Regulations

These Regulations apply to presidential, parliamentary and local council elections

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Scope rule

This section defines when and how “Application of Regulations” applies.

“These Regulations apply to presidential, parliamentary and local council elections”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Confirm that the matter and forum fall within this section before applying the Act's remaining provisions.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

3. Interpretation

In these Regulation, unless the context otherwise requires

"Act" means the Electoral Commission Act, Cap. 176;

"biometric voter verification kit" means the device used to operate a biometric voter verification system;

"biometric voter verification system" means a combination of hardware and software used to verify the identity of a voter against the particulars provided by the voter before voting, including facial or fingerprints recognition;

"currency point" has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to these Regulations;

"national identification card" means the national identification card issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority under section 69(1) of the Registration of Persons Act;

"voter location slip" means a document issued by the Commission to a registered voter for the purpose of locating his or her designated polling station.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Definition

This section supplies the definitions or statutory meaning governing “Interpretation”.

“In these Regulation, unless the context otherwise requires "Act" means the Electoral Commission Act, Cap. 176;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this definition when interpreting other provisions that employ the language addressed by “Interpretation”.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

5
  1. "biometric voter verification kit" means the device used to operate a biometric voter verification system;
  2. "biometric voter verification system" means a combination of hardware and software used to verify the identity of a voter against the particulars provided by the voter before voting, including facial or fingerprints recognition;
  3. "currency point" has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to these Regulations;
  4. "national identification card" means the national identification card issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority under section 69(1) of the Registration of Persons Act;
  5. "voter location slip" means a document issued by the Commission to a registered voter for the purpose of locating his or her designated polling station.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions
Electoral Commission Act Registration of Persons Act
Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

4. Use of biometric voter verification system

(1)

The Commission shall use the biometric voter verification system at all polling stations for the identification and verification of voters before a presiding officer issues a ballot paper to a voter.

(2)

The application of the biometric voter verification system shall be through the biometric voter verification kit deployed by the Commission at each polling station.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Use of biometric voter verification system”.

“(1) The Commission shall use the biometric voter verification system at all polling stations for the identification and verification of voters before a presiding officer issues a ballot paper to a voter.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

2
  1. (1) The Commission shall use the biometric voter verification system at all polling stations for the identification and verification of voters before a presiding officer issues a ballot paper to a voter.
  2. (2) The application of the biometric voter verification system shall be through the biometric voter verification kit deployed by the Commission at each polling station.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

5. Manner of use of biometric voter verification system

(1)

The procedure to be followed by the presiding officer in the use of the biometric voter verification system for voter identification and verification purposes shall be as follows-

(a)

in the case of a voter with a voter location slip or national identification card-

(i)

the voter shall on arrival at the polling station present the voter location slip or national identification card to the presiding officer;

(ii)

the voter location slip or national identification card shall be scanned using the biometric voter verification kit for the purpose of identifying the voter;

(iii)

if the particulars of the voter are displayed on the biometric voter verification kit, and the person is confirmed to be a registered voter at that polling station, the voter shall place his or her thumb or finger on the fingerprint scanner of the biometric voter verification kit to verify that he or she is a registered voter at that polling station;

(iv)

where the particulars of the voter are verified and confirmed against the voters register by the biometric voter verification kit, the voter shall be issued with a ballot paper by the presiding officer; and

(v)

where fingerprint verification fails under paragraph (iii), the presiding officer shall use the camera on the biometric voter verification kit to conduct a facial recognition of the voter.

(b)

in the case of a voter without a voter location slip or national identification card-

(i)

the voter shall on arrival at the polling station announce his or her names to the presiding officer in an audible manner;

(ii)

the presiding officer shall check for the name of the voter on the voters register and, where it is confirmed that the name as announced by the voter appears on the register, the presiding officer shall enter the voter's number in the biometric voter verification kit;

(iii)

if the particulars of the voter are displayed on the biometric voter verification kit, and the person is confirmed to be a registered voter at that polling station, the voter shall place his or her thumb or finger on the fingerprint scanner of the biometric voter verification kit to verify that he or she is a registered voter at that polling station;

(iv)

where the particulars of the voter are verified and confirmed against the voters register by the biometric voter verification kit, the voter shall be issued with a ballot paper by the presiding officer; and

(v)

where fingerprint verification fails under paragraph (iii), the presiding officer shall use the camera on the biometric voter verification kit to conduct a facial recognition of the voter.

(2)

Where a voter is identified using the biometric voter verification kit as a registered voter in a different polling station within the electoral district, the presiding officer shall refer the person to the polling station identified by the biometric voter verification kit.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Manner of use of biometric voter verification system”.

“(1) The procedure to be followed by the presiding officer in the use of the biometric voter verification system for voter identification and verification purposes shall be as follows-”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

14
  1. (1) The procedure to be followed by the presiding officer in the use of the biometric voter verification system for voter identification and verification purposes shall be as follows-
  2. (a) in the case of a voter with a voter location slip or national identification card-
  3. (i) the voter shall on arrival at the polling station present the voter location slip or national identification card to the presiding officer;
  4. (ii) the voter location slip or national identification card shall be scanned using the biometric voter verification kit for the purpose of identifying the voter;
  5. (iii) if the particulars of the voter are displayed on the biometric voter verification kit, and the person is confirmed to be a registered voter at that polling station, the voter shall place his or her thumb or finger on the fingerprint scanner of the biometric voter verification kit to verify that he or she is a registered voter at that polling station;
  6. (iv) where the particulars of the voter are verified and confirmed against the voters register by the biometric voter verification kit, the voter shall be issued with a ballot paper by the presiding officer; and
  7. (v) where fingerprint verification fails under paragraph (iii), the presiding officer shall use the camera on the biometric voter verification kit to conduct a facial recognition of the voter.
  8. (b) in the case of a voter without a voter location slip or national identification card-

6 further items remain in the statutory text above.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

6. Electronic verification of ballot paper

(1)

The presiding officer shall before commencing the voting at the polling station, use the scanner on the biometric voter verification kit to read the unique code on the ballot paper for the purposes of creating an inventory of the ballot papers used at the polling station.

(2)

The presiding officer shall, at the close of polls and before commencement of counting of cast votes, use the scanner on the biometric voter verification kit to read the unique code on all the cast ballot papers for the purpose of creating an inventory of the ballot papers cast at the polling station.

(3)

The presiding officer shall use the camera on the biometric voter verification kit to take an image copy of the signed declaration of results form and the image copy shall be stored on the biometric voter verification kit.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Electronic verification of ballot paper”.

“(1) The presiding officer shall before commencing the voting at the polling station, use the scanner on the biometric voter verification kit to read the unique code on the ballot paper for the purposes of creating an inventory of the ballot papers used at the polling station.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

3
  1. (1) The presiding officer shall before commencing the voting at the polling station, use the scanner on the biometric voter verification kit to read the unique code on the ballot paper for the purposes of creating an inventory of the ballot papers used at the polling station.
  2. (2) The presiding officer shall, at the close of polls and before commencement of counting of cast votes, use the scanner on the biometric voter verification kit to read the unique code on all the cast ballot papers for the purpose of creating an inventory of the ballot papers cast at the polling station.
  3. (3) The presiding officer shall use the camera on the biometric voter verification kit to take an image copy of the signed declaration of results form and the image copy shall be stored on the biometric voter verification kit.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

7. Failure to use biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit

(1)

A presiding officer who fails to use the biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit in accordance with these Regulations commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding six currency points' or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.

(2)

A person who unlawfully interferes with the use of the biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit commits an offence and is liable, on conviction to a fine not exceeding six currency points or to imprisonment for term not exceeding three months or both.

(3)

A person convicted under subregulation (1) or (2) shall not qualify to be re-engaged or appointed in the service of the Commission.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Offence or consequence

This section creates or governs statutory liability concerning “Failure to use biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit”.

“(1) A presiding officer who fails to use the biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit in accordance with these Regulations commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding six currency points' or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A party alleging or defending liability should test the facts and prescribed consequence against each operative requirement.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

3
  1. (1) A presiding officer who fails to use the biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit in accordance with these Regulations commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding six currency points' or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.
  2. (2) A person who unlawfully interferes with the use of the biometric voter verification system or biometric voter verification kit commits an offence and is liable, on conviction to a fine not exceeding six currency points or to imprisonment for term not exceeding three months or both.
  3. (3) A person convicted under subregulation (1) or (2) shall not qualify to be re-engaged or appointed in the service of the Commission.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

8. Amendment of S.I. No.2 of 2021

The Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Technology in the Management of Elections) Regulations, 2021 are amended-

(a)

in regulation 2 (2) by revoking paragraph (i); and

(b)

by revoking regulation 4.

Schedule (Regulation 3)

Currency point A currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of S.I. No.2 of 2021”.

“The Electoral Commission (Adoption and Manner of Use of Technology in the Management of Elections) Regulations, 2021 are amended-”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of S.I. No.2 of 2021”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

2
  1. (a) in regulation 2 (2) by revoking paragraph (i); and
  2. (b) by revoking regulation 4.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

Original Laws of Uganda consolidation (as at 24 December 2025) — public-domain legislation, consolidated by ULII / Laws.Africa (CC BY 4.0). This is a point-in-time text and may not reflect later amendments; confirm against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.