Electoral Commission says replaced broken seals on Sheema ballot boxes

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The Electoral Commission has said it replaced the broken seals found on four ballot boxes delivered to Sheema district in the leadup to this year's general elections.

“The seals were damaged due to packing, but they were promptly replaced in the presence of security officers and candidates' representatives," said district returning officer Pius Ahimbisibwe.

"The integrity of the electoral process has not been compromised."

Two of the affected boxes were for Sheema South, and one each for Sheema Municipality and Sheema North.

Sheema District electoral officials checking the ballot boxes. (Credit: Bruno Mugizi)

Meanwhile, Ahimbisibwe urged Sheema voters to turn out in large numbers on the polling days, assuring them that all the necessary measures were in place to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election.

Registered voters will begin by electing their next president and Members of Parliament this Thursday (January 15), before moving on to other elective positions
in subsequent weeks — all the way until February 6.

'Remain calm and confident'

By Monday (January 12), all the districts in the Greater Bushenyi sub-region (Bushenyi, Sheema, Buhweju, Mitooma, and Rubirizi) had received all ballot boxes and other electoral materials, which were distributed under the supervision of district police commanders and district election authorities.

A total of 1,519 ballot boxes were distributed: Bushenyi (384), Sheema (374), Buhweju (223), Mitooma (316), and Rubirizi (222).

Greater Bushenyi sub-region police spokesperson Apollo Tayebwa said security has been ramped up to ensure the safe custody of all election materials at the district Electoral Commission stores.

“Police, in liaison with other security agencies, have deployed adequately to guarantee the safety and integrity of all election materials received. The public should remain calm and confident that the process is being professionally secured,” he said.

Tayebwa urged residents to continue partnering with security agencies by remaining law-abiding and observing all Electoral Commission laws and police guidelines throughout the electoral process.