The Electoral Commission Uganda has started the process of dispatching electoral materials for Special Interest Groups, Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
The Commission boss Justice Simon Byabakama revealed that the process started with packing the voting materials in December 2020 and they will finish once all districts have received the poling materials.
Below is Justice Byabakama’s statement on Official Dispatch of Polling Materials for Special Interest Groups, Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, 2021 held on Wednesday 6th January 2021.
As you are aware, the Electoral Commission, commenced on packing of polling materials for General Elections during the month of December 2020.
This followed the timely delivery of both generic materials, ballot papers and the National Voters’ Register.
Today, the Electoral Commission will officially flag off the dispatch of the polling kits to all districts across the country in preparation for the conduct of the following elections:
1. Elections of Councillors for Special Interest Groups (SIGs), namely, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youths, to Sub County/Town Council/Municipal Division (to be held 11″ January 2021);
2. Elections of Councillors for Special Interest Groups (SIGs), namely, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youths, to the Municipality/City Division (to be held 12″ January 2021);
3. Presidential and General Parliamentary Elections (to be held on 14″ January 2021).
The dispatch of the above 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.
By the time of this flag off, the following districts are ready for dispatch: 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). The loading of trucks to other districts is ongoing in our Loading Yard, and 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.
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 were invited to observe the printing, delivery and the packing of the materials; and they have also been invited to observe 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.
The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to extend to you all the best wishes for peaceful elections and a safe New Year, 2021.
Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon Chairperson, Electoral Commission