The Electoral Commission (EC) has delivered polling materials ahead of Wednesday’s Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament by-election, signaling its readiness to conduct the vote across the island district.
The materials, including ballot boxes, ballot paper booklets, declaration of results forms and other electoral supplies, have been received at the Electoral Commission stores in Kalangala Town Council for onward distribution to polling stations.
Harriet Kasagyire, the Central Southern Regional Elections Officer, said all the required materials had arrived in time to facilitate their prompt dispatch to polling stations and prevent delays on voting day.
“We have received all the election materials and are fully prepared to conduct the by-election at all the 115 polling stations in Kalangala District,” Kasagyire said.
According to the Electoral Commission, the recently concluded voters’ register update exercise put the number of eligible voters in Kalangala at 42,452, who are expected to cast their ballots on Wednesday.
Kasagyire added that Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) will be deployed at polling stations to enhance transparency and ensure a credible voting process.
Kalangala District Returning Officer Ronald Agaba said the commission had adhered to the by-election roadmap and appealed to voters to cooperate with election officials to ensure a peaceful exercise.
“We also intend to meet agents and supervisors of all candidates to remind them about the election guidelines so that we can have a smooth and peaceful exercise,” Agaba said.
The arrival of polling materials comes amid complaints from the camp of the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, which accused security agencies of disrupting its final campaign activities.
The Kalangala District Security Committee reportedly directed the NUP camp to relocate its last campaign rally from Bujumba County on Kalangala’s main island, citing the scheduled visit of President Yoweri Museveni, who was campaigning for the NRM candidate, Aidah Nabayiga.
Goretti Namugga, a NUP campaign coordinator, criticized security agencies for halting their planned activities at the last minute despite the financial costs incurred.
“We are disturbed by the panic with which these people are acting. The area is big enough to accommodate all of us. Nevertheless, we have delivered the message of change, and people have appreciated it,” she said.
The Kalangala Woman MP seat fell vacant in April following the death of Hellen Nakimuli, who had retained the seat in the January 2021 general elections on the NUP ticket.
Five candidates are vying for the seat: Irene Nampala of NUP, who is Nakimuli’s elder sister; Aidah Nabayiga of the NRM; and independent candidates Sharifah Babirye Kaala, Hellen Flavia Nagawa and Agnes Nassuuna.
Kalangala District comprises seven sub-counties, 17 wards and 97 villages spread across 64 inhabited islands on Lake Victoria.
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