LC5, district councillor elections delayed in Kalaki amid low voter turnout
The Electoral Commission is today conducting elections for LC5 chairpersons, district councillors, city mayors, lord mayors and city councillors across the country.
Polling agents preparing voting materials earlier in Kalaki district. (Credit Christine Itado.)
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Voting in the LC5 and district councillor elections in Kalaki district has today, January 22, 2026, been delayed after low voter turnout slowed the mandatory ballot box opening process at several polling stations.
The Electoral Commission is today conducting elections for LC5 chairpersons, district councillors, city mayors, lord mayors and city councillors across the country. However, in Kalaki, polling officially scheduled to start at 7:00am commenced after 8:30am in several locations, particularly within Kalaki town council.
According to district election data, Kalaki has 66,839 registered voters spread across 151 polling stations.
Delay linked to ballot box opening procedure
At Kalaki Primary School A–A polling station, presiding officer Richard Ewichu explained that voting could not begin on time due to the absence of the minimum number of voters required to witness the opening of ballot boxes.
“We want to ensure the process is credible and transparent, and that requires sufficient voter participation,” Ewichu said.
Similar delays were reported at Kalaki Catholic Church polling station, where officials also waited for the first ten voters to arrive before opening the ballot boxes, as required by Electoral Commission guidelines.
Low early turnout reported
Ewichu further noted that voter turnout remained low across several polling stations during the early hours.
By 9:20am, fewer than 30 voters had cast their ballots at Kalaki Primary School A–A polling station, out of 412 registered voters.
He attributed the low turnout to voter apathy and limited interest in the electoral process.
The Electoral Commission reassured voters that the delay was a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the elections.
“Our priority is to ensure that every vote counts and that the process is free and fair,” Ewichu added.
Five contest for LC5 seat
A total of five candidates are contesting for the Kalaki LC5 chairperson seat
- Patrick Eyangu – Independent
- Thomas Ochan Ayei – Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)
- Amos Odeng – Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
- Moses Oriada – National Resistance Movement (NRM)
- Charles Ojwok – National Unity Platform (NUP)
Voters cite harvest season
Some voters attributed the low turnout to competing economic activities. Sophia Adima, a voter at Kalaki Primary School A–A polling station, said many residents were engaged in farming activities.
“This is the harvesting season, and many people are busy in their gardens,” she said.
Call for participation
Electoral officials have urged eligible voters to turn up in large numbers and exercise their democratic right, assuring the public that adequate security measures are in place to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process.
The LC5 and district councillor elections are critical to local governance, with successful candidates expected to serve five-year terms. The results are expected to significantly influence the political and development trajectory of Kalaki.