Local Government Council elections in Bulambuli District were marked by low voter turnout, with most polling stations opening nearly 30 minutes later than the scheduled 7 a.m. start time.
The delays, reported across several of the district’s 257 polling stations, were due to polling officials failing to register the recommended number of voters required to officially commence voting.
Some of the affected polling stations included Industrial Cells, Dembe Polling Station, Old Market Polling Station, and Supper Star Primary School Polling Station, among others.
Despite the low turnout, election officials strictly enforced the use of Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK), with no voter permitted to cast a ballot without successful machine verification.
Upon arrival at polling stations, voters were required to present either a voter slip or a national identification card.
These were scanned, followed by fingerprint verification and scanning of ballot papers before ballots were cast.
Polling officials said the digital system significantly improved efficiency at polling stations. Hassan Mutinyi, the Presiding Officer at Dembe Polling Station, noted that the technology helped speed up the voting process.
“It has quickened our work. We only take about one minute to process four voters. It has really simplified our work,” Mutinyi said.
Voters in Bulambuli also expressed confidence in the BVVK machines, saying they had experienced no challenges since the start of elections, contrary to reports from other parts of the country.
Many described the technology as reliable and effective in ensuring transparency and fairness.
“This machine can’t allow cheating,” said Christine Nandudu, a voter.
District Electoral Commission officials echoed similar views, stating that the digital system helped prevent confusion and potential chaos that often arise from accusations of malpractice associated with manual voting.
Bulambuli District, which comprises 26 sub-counties, had two candidates vying for the district’s top leadership seat.
The incumbent district chairperson, Annet Nandudu, faced off against NRM’s Simon Peter Wonanzofu.
By press time, the tallying of results was still underway.