The first batch of ballot papers for the 2021 general elections arrived in Uganda at the Entebbe International Airport aboard an Ethiopia Airlines Cargo plane on Wednesday night.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon received the ballot papers. The delivery was observed by agents of political parties and organisations as well as the media.
The delivery was made by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This firm won the contract for Lot 2 of the ballot papers for the General Elections.
According to Byabakama, the delivery comprises 116 pallets which contain ballot papers for districts falling in seven (7) electoral regions, namely Kampala, South West, Central South, Elgon, Karamoja, Norther and West Nile.
He added that materials for the five (5) remaining regions are expected within the next few days, which is still within time.
The cost for the delivered election materials is Shs 2,536,352,880 (two billion five hundred thirty-six million three hundred fifty-two thousand eight hundred eight), out of the total consignment cost of Uganda Shillings 9,701,600,000 (nine billion seven hundred one million six hundred thousand).
“The 116 pallets weigh a total of forty (40) tons and have been delivered by Emirates Airlines Flight Number EK 9757 at 6pm. Our technical team has already commenced with processes to clear the cargo and deliver it to our Stores for safe storage ahead of the packing into the polling kit,” Byabakama said.
In addition to the above, the electoral body received official confirmation of completion of printing of Ballot Papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Presidential Elections 2021.
The printer, United Printing and Publishing of Abu Dhabi confirmed the delivery of these materials on Thursday 10th December 2020 at 13:15 hours, on Emirates Flight 9865.
“These deliveries are a positive indicator of the progress of implementation of critical and final preparations for polling for the 2021 General Elections. This is indeed a sign of our readiness to deliver the elections as scheduled,” Byabakama said.
The elections for president and MPs will take place on January 14, 2021.
