The Electoral Commission has confirmed that the printing of ballot papers for the 2026 General Elections is in full gear, with all materials for the Presidential and Parliamentary races currently being produced in Dubai.
According to the Commission, the process is running efficiently and on schedule as preparations intensify ahead of next year’s polls.
Speaking during an update on the nomination and election roadmap, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the Commission is determined to deliver a transparent and credible election. He also addressed concerns arising from the nomination exercise, which attracted more than 83,597 candidates vying for 45,505 elective positions across the country.
Justice Byabakama revealed that the Commission received about 300 petitions and complaints after nominations. He stressed that every matter was assessed objectively and handled within the law.
“We reviewed and determined each petition based on the law, the Commission’s constitutional mandate, and the evidence and merit of each case,” he said.
He downplayed public concerns about the volume of petitions, noting that they represent only a small proportion of the total number of candidates.
“I would like to state that while the number of 300 may appear high, taken out of the total number of over 83,597 nominated candidates for the 45,505 elective positions, it becomes clear that the majority of the nominations were undertaken and concluded without any incidents,” he explained.
Justice Byabakama assured the public that the Commission remains committed to fairness, impartiality and timely resolution of all issues ahead of voting day. He emphasized that the stability seen during the nomination phase was an important foundation for the next stages of the electoral process.
The Commission has contracted several reputable international and local firms to print ballot papers for the different elective positions. The Dubai-based Al Ghurair Printing & Publishing LLC is handling the production of ballot papers for the Presidential race, directly-elected Members of Parliament, District Woman MPs, District and City Chairpersons, directly-elected City Councillors, and Woman Councillors at district and city levels. The Commission said printing in Dubai is progressing smoothly under strict supervision.
The Commission is also partnering with other global firms to print ballots for different elective positions. UniPrint South Africa in Durban is producing ballot papers for Sub-county, Town, and Municipal Division Chairpersons. Inform Lykos Hellas in Athens, Greece, is printing ballot papers for Sub-county, Town, and Municipal Division directly elected Councillors and Women Councillors. Additionally, Sintel Security in Nairobi, Kenya, is handling the production of ballot papers for Special Interest Groups across Districts, Cities, Municipalities, Sub-counties, Town Councils, Municipal Divisions, and Local Governments.
In Uganda, Picfare Industries Ltd in Kampala is printing ballot papers for Municipality and City Division Chairpersons and Woman Councillors, while Graphics Systems Ltd, also based in Kampala, is producing the ballots for Municipality and City Division directly elected Councillors.
Justice Byabakama encouraged political parties participating in the Presidential race to submit the names of their official agents who will be accredited to witness the delivery of the ballot boxes from Dubai. He explained that parties are expected to observe the arrival of ballot papers printed outside the country at the airport, while those printed locally will be delivered directly to the Commission’s warehouses.
The Electoral Commission says these measures are aimed at reinforcing transparency and confidence in the electoral process as the country moves steadily toward the 2026 General Elections.
