Various districts across Uganda have started receiving polling materials ahead of January 14 general elections.
The mood remains upbeat especially in urban areas with both the ruling NRM party and opposition expressing hopes of victory.
President Museveni maintains the NRM will win the race with a landslide.
Museveni’s main challengers Patrick Amuriat and Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine believe they will carry the day and have intensified campaigns in the last few days.
The Electoral Commission on January 6 officially flagged off the dispatch of the polling kits to all districts across the country in preparation for the conduct of elections of Councilors for Special Interest Groups (SIGs), namely, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youths, to Sub County/Town Council/Municipal Division (to be held 11th January 2021).
Elections of Councilors for Special Interest Groups (SIGs), namely, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youths, to the Municipality/City Division will be held on January 12, 2021.
The Presidential and General Parliamentary Elections are set for January 14.
EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the dispatch of the voter materials will continue until all districts are dispatched.
“The Commission assures all stakeholders that all districts/cities across the country will have received their polling kits in time for the above cycle of elections,” he said.
By yesterday, several districts were ready for dispatch including Busia (Elgon Region) Butambala (Central Region); Mukono (Kampala Region); Iganga (Kira Region); Karenga (Karamoja Region); Kasese (Rwenzori Region); Agago (Northern Region); Sironko (Elgon Region); Terego (West Nile Region).
During the 2016 elections, several sections of Kampala Metropolitan did not receive the ballot papers on time, leading to frustrations among voters.
Byabakama said the loading of trucks to other districts is ongoing at EC’s Loading Yard, and that they will be dispatched as and when they are ready.
“We wish to emphasise that this dispatch is designed to facilitate timely delivery of polling materials to all districts, and eventually to enable timely conduct of the elections across the country,” said Byabakama.
At the various districts, the Returning Officers and District Police Commanders (DPCs) will take charge of the security of these polling materials.
Political parties and all candidates for Presidential Elections have since been invited to observe the printing, delivery and the packing of the materials and the dispatch of the materials to the districts.
“The Commission wishes to remind parties and candidates who may wish to accompany these polling materials, to officially appoint (in writing) the agents who will follow the dispatch, so that they are cleared, including particulars of vehicles they will use,” said Byabakama.
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