Ballot papers are landing, and the usual election theater is in full swing. The Electoral Commission in Uganda has taken delivery of the first two batches of sensitive materials for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, printed by a Dubai company called Al Ghurair LLC. Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama met the initial shipment at Entebbe International Airport, stating that more pallets will arrive before early January. The process involved senior EC officials and party representatives gathering late on Christmas Eve to watch the cargo come in, which was then moved under heavy security.
Byabakama detailed the contents, noting this first load held 193 pallets just for the presidential ballot. He explained they ordered more than the total number of registered voters to account for possible damaged forms. The materials were packed and labeled by district for easier handling and storage. The Commission framed the invited witness event as a transparency move to build public trust. Opposition reps, however, griped about not getting a real chance to check the packing lists themselves. Meanwhile, folks from the ruling NRM party called the whole thing smooth and transparent. The EC shot back that all the security seals were still red and unbroken, stressing their commitment to a clean process.
The second batch of ballots showed up on Christmas Day, keeping things on schedule. With the election date getting close, the Commission is repeating its standard plea for everyone to keep things peaceful. They want political actors and the public to avoid violence throughout the whole cycle.
Byabakama detailed the contents, noting this first load held 193 pallets just for the presidential ballot. He explained they ordered more than the total number of registered voters to account for possible damaged forms. The materials were packed and labeled by district for easier handling and storage. The Commission framed the invited witness event as a transparency move to build public trust. Opposition reps, however, griped about not getting a real chance to check the packing lists themselves. Meanwhile, folks from the ruling NRM party called the whole thing smooth and transparent. The EC shot back that all the security seals were still red and unbroken, stressing their commitment to a clean process.
The second batch of ballots showed up on Christmas Day, keeping things on schedule. With the election date getting close, the Commission is repeating its standard plea for everyone to keep things peaceful. They want political actors and the public to avoid violence throughout the whole cycle.
