By Harriet Nakamya
The Electoral Commission has distanced itself from an online website identified as www.registry.ugtally.com, urging the public not to risk their personal information by sharing it with that entity.
According to the Commission chairman Justice Simon Byabakama, the Commission has become aware of this which is reportedly operated by an entity known as FANON.
He said the website is being promoted as a platform to assist members of the public in locating their voter registration details and polling stations.
“While FANON has publicly stated that it is not affiliated with the Electoral Commission or any political party and claims its role is purely civic—to promote voter participation and support a free and fair electoral process—the Electoral Commission wishes to categorically inform the public that the website www.registry.ugtally.com is not authorized and is not affiliated with the Electoral Commission” he said.
He added that FANON has never applied nor got accredited as a voter education civil society organization, adding that the role of setting up systems that enable voters to digitally locate and ascertain their voting location lies with the Electoral Commission and not any other entity or individual.
“The public is, therefore, hereby strongly cautioned that the said unauthorized website may contain misleading or inaccurate information and may pose risks to users who interact with it. Members of the public are advised not to visit the website, submit personal information, or engage with its services” he warned.
He emphasized that the Electoral Commission shall not be held responsible for how any information submitted to or accessed through the said website is used.
Byabakama cited Article 60 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda which established the EC and mandated under Article 61 to compile, maintain, revise, and update the National Voters Register. “This mandate is exclusive to the Electoral Commission. Therefore, any unauthorized access, hosting, use, or distribution of voter registration data constitutes an offence and is punishable under the law. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to use only the official and authorized Electoral Commission website, www.ec.or.ug/register, to verify their voter registration particulars and polling station information” he guided.
He said this warning is being issued in the public interest to protect citizens and prevent confusion, misuse of personal data, or other potential harm.
He said the Commission has formally written to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) seeking guidance on the appropriate action to be taken in respect of this matter.
Byabakama assured the public of the Commission’s unwavering commitment to delivering free, fair, credible, and transparent elections in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Uganda.
“We urge candidates at all levels to prevail upon their supporters and agents to desist from any actions that may lead to disruption of public order, and to always use peaceful means to express their views. We further call for a tolerant approach to political debate, so that we have peaceful, free and fair elections” he said.
He said with the deployment of the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS/K), the public should expect a transparent, free and fair election come 2026 emphasizing the One MAN/WOMAN-ONE MAN/WOMAN VOTE principle.
