As Uganda prepares for the 2026 General Elections, a small handheld device is set to play a big role in safeguarding the country’s democratic process. Known as the Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK), the device will be present at every polling station, quietly working to ensure that every vote cast is legitimate, secure, and confidential.
First introduced by the Electoral Commission (EC) in 2016, the BVVK was designed to tackle some of the biggest challenges in elections—impersonation, multiple voting, and ballot stuffing. For 2026, the EC will deploy 109,142 improved BVVKs nationwide, each upgraded with additional security features to strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
On election day, activities begin early at polling stations. Before a single vote is cast, the BVVK is assigned specifically to that polling station by scanning a QR code from the Voters Register. Once activated, the device displays the station’s details, confirming that it cannot be used elsewhere.
Election officials themselves must first pass verification. The Presiding Officer and the BVVK operator authenticate their identities using National IDs, Voter Location Slips, fingerprints, or facial recognition. This step ensures that only authorized officials handle the voting process.
Ballot papers are also placed under strict control. Each booklet of ballots is scanned into the BVVK before voting begins. This allows the device to recognize only officially approved ballots meant for that polling station, helping to detect any fake or unauthorized papers later in the day.
By law, voting cannot begin without public oversight. At least ten voters must witness the opening of the polls. These voters are verified on the BVVK, and their names are marked in the Voters Register, officially signalling the start of voting.
Throughout the day, every voter is required to undergo biometric verification. Using fingerprints or facial recognition, the BVVK confirms a voter’s eligibility before a ballot is issued. Without this verification, voting is not permitted—reinforcing the principle of one person, one vote.
Before a ballot paper reaches the voter’s hands, it is scanned once more at the Presiding Officer’s table. Polling assistants guide voters through the process, ensuring order and clarity.
Despite the technology involved, the secrecy of the vote remains fully protected. According to the EC, the BVVK does not link voter identities to ballot choices, which guarantees privacy as required by law.
Polls close at 4:00 pm, after all voters who were already in line have cast their ballots. The Presiding Officer formally closes the polls on the BVVK, after which post-voting checks begin. All ballot papers are scanned again to confirm they were officially issued for that station. Any ballot that cannot be verified is set aside and recorded in the Official Report Book, in the presence of officials, party agents, observers, and members of the public.
To further strengthen transparency, Declaration of Results and Accountability of Ballot Papers forms are scanned and photographed using the BVVK, creating a secure digital backup of key election records.
At the end of the process, the Presiding Officer officially closes the election round on the device, marking the final step in a tightly controlled system.
The BVVK is central to delivering elections that are credible, transparent, and trusted. As the country heads toward 2026, Ugandans are encouraged to embrace the technology, trust in the secrecy of their vote, and participate fully in the democratic process—confident that each verified vote truly counts.
