The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has intensified voter registration in Teso North as the Enhanced Voter Registration (EVR) exercise gains momentum.
By Tuesday this week, the Commission had registered 2,151 new voters against a target of 6,820 in the constituency.
The Constituency Registration Officer, Moses Ahete, has urged residents to turn out in large numbers and register as voters to enable them to exercise their democratic rights during the 2027 General Election.
He commended the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) for their efforts in mobilizing citizens, noting that voter mobilizers continue to reach out to residents across various wards.
Teso North has set a target of registering at least 17,600 new voters by 2027. If achieved, this will increase the number of registered voters from 59,750 in 2022 to 76,800.
Ahete expressed confidence that by the end of the EVR exercise, the Commission will have achieved 100 percent of its target.
He said the Commission has deployed three voter registration kits per ward and two additional kits at the constituency office, with two clerks assigned to each kit.
The clerks follow a structured movement schedule to ensure members of the public are informed about the location and timing of the exercise.
The Commission has also deployed two voter mobilizers per ward and two at the constituency office to help sensitize and encourage residents to register.
Additionally, Ahete said the Commission has convened about four stakeholder forums aimed at sensitizing community members on the importance of voter registration and participation in elections.
“The challenge we are facing is that some people are still reluctant and do not see the need to come out and register as voters. However, we are engaging them through stakeholders, mobilizers, and direct outreach to enlighten them on the importance of participating in elections,” he said.
Area Member of Parliament, Oku Kaunya, also challenged the youth to turn up in large numbers and register as voters.
Speaking during the issuance of bursary funds at Kocholia Secondary school, Kaunya said he has engaged the Principal Secretary in charge of Civil Registration to visit the constituency and initiate a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to facilitate the issuance of national identity cards, enabling more people to register as voters.
By Moses Wekesa
