The Electoral Commission (EC) has introduced barcodes on Declaration of Results (DR) forms as part of new measures aimed at strengthening the credibility and integrity of Uganda’s electoral process.
A Declaration Form is an official document used to record election results at a polling station. It captures the votes obtained by each candidate, the total number of votes cast, as well as invalid and spoiled ballots.
The form is signed by the Presiding Officer and agents of contesting candidates before being transmitted to the tally centre, where final results are compiled and winners declared.
However, in recent election cycles, concerns have been raised over the integrity of DR forms, with reports of forgery and alteration of results during transportation from polling stations to returning officers.
Addressing these concerns, Anthony Okello, the Commissioner in charge of the Electoral Commission for the Central North and West Nile sub-regions, said the introduction of barcodes on DR forms is intended to eliminate such irregularities.
Okello explained that, similar to ballot papers, declaration forms will now be customised for specific polling stations. Each form will carry a unique barcode that can be read and verified using the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK).
Once voting concludes and results are recorded, sealed, and signed by all agents present, the Presiding Officer will use the BVVK’s camera to take a photograph of the completed DR form before it is transported to the Returning Officer.
“At the tally centre, the Returning Officer will scan the barcode on each declaration form to authenticate it. Any form that has been tampered with or altered will automatically be rejected,” Okello said.
The Electoral Commission says the new system is part of broader electoral reforms designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the election results ahead of the upcoming polls.
