Uganda election: Hitches in delivery of polling materials delay voting

Early voting on Uganda’s election day has been calm and peaceful throughout the country, with no major incidents of disruption or violence reported but criticism has been pouring out at the Electoral Commission over the delayed delivery of ballot materials in many polling stations.

The Electoral Commission spokesman Jotham Taremwa told The EastAfrican that voting activity in some divisions of the capital Kampala and neighbouring Wakiso District started late due to “transport”.

However, voters in upcountry districts in western Uganda such as Bushenyi and Isingiro also reported that by 10am (0700 GMT) a number of polling stations had not opened. The designated time for opening of polling stations was 7am (0400 GMT) to close at 4pm (1300 GMT).

“There has been a delay in delivery of polling materials in some parts of Wakiso District and Kampala Capital City. The Electoral Commission regrets the delay.
“The polling materials have now been delivered to all these places and polling has commenced in most of the places.

“The Electoral Commission calls on candidates, their agents and supporters, to be calm and tolerant as always during the polling process,” a statement from the electoral agency reads in part.

Election observers in the country have not made any comment about late start of voting. However, among voters, there are concerns that these delays especially in Kampala and Wakiso are deliberate considering that these are opposition strongholds.

The two also have the largest numbers of registered voters in the country at 1.18 million for Kampala City and 749,476 voters in Wakiso District.