EC urges voters on municipality polls

With already poor registered turnout of voters in the just concluded district chairpersons and Kampala Lord Mayor Elections, the Electoral Commission has appealed to voters to turn up in big numbers to elect their leaders in tomorrow's municipality elections.

Ugandans in 39 municipalities, including Kampala Capital City Divisions go to polls tomorrow (Wednesday) to elect their mayors and directly elected and women councilors.

Polling shall take place at all polling stations within all municipalities in Uganda, and the five (5) divisions of Kampala Capital City, starting at 7:00am and closing at 4:00pm.

Electoral Commission deputy chairperson Joseph Biribonwa told New Vision yesterday that by midday on Tuesday, all election materials had already been dispatched to the municipalities and division headquarters.

Voting in Kampala and Wakiso has on several occasions been characterized by late delivery of voting materials.

During the presidential and parliamentary elections, voting in some parts of Kampala and Wakiso started as late as 3:00 pm, an hour to the end of the official polling time.

But the situation later improved during the Mayoral elections. However, the election was marred by poor voter turn-up.

"We appeal to Ugandans to turn up in big numbers and vote for their leaders. The materials will be on time so they don't have to fear. Let them go and vote their closest leaders," Biribonwa said.

He however failed to explain why voter turn-up remains poor for other elective offices other than president and parliament.

"May be people are more interested in the highest office (President). But all these offices are important. People should go and vote," he emphasized.

On whether the day will be declared a public holiday to enable voters cast their vote, Biribonwa said the Commission is still negotiating with the relevant institutions.

"The challenge we have is that voting will not be all over the country. It will only be in Kampala, Wakiso and other 37 municipalities. But we are still negotiating with the Ministry of Education because most polling stations are located within or near education institutions," he said.

According to EC chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu, the ballot papers for use during elections will bear four columns.

The first column will have the full names of each candidate, in alphabetical order; the second column a colour photograph of each candidate;  the third column  the name of the party and symbol, or independent candidates' symbol and  the fourth column space where the voter will tick or place a thumbprint as a mark of choice.