Electoral materials for the upcoming polls scheduled for 15th January 2026 have officially arrived at the Jinja City Electoral Office, marking a major step in preparations for next week’s voting exercise.
The offloading process was conducted transparently under the supervision of key stakeholders, including security agencies, media personnel, and representatives of various political parties.
Speaking during the exercise, the Jinja City Returning Officer, Flavia Nakasi, said the timely delivery of materials is part of the Electoral Commission’s efforts to ensure a smooth, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.
Nakasi confirmed that all electoral materials for the city’s 367 polling stations have been fully delivered and will be kept in a highly secured location under tight guard until polling day.
“We shall keep the materials where no one can gain access until polling day, when they will be dispatched to respective polling stations,” Nakasi said.
She assured voters of a free and fair election, noting that Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) will be used to verify all voters before casting their ballots. Nakasi also urged voters to come to polling stations with their National Identity Cards or voter location slips, which will help them easily identify where they are supposed to vote from.
The Returning Officer further revealed that the BVVKs are expected to arrive soon, adding that stakeholders will again be invited to witness their reception at the Electoral Commission offices in Jinja.
Political parties were represented during the offloading exercise, with Masese Councillor Bilal Muwada Mugole attending on behalf of the National Unity Platform (NUP), while the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was represented by Asuman Kambo and Edith Tibenkana, among others.
Stakeholders expressed satisfaction with the condition of the delivered materials, noting that they appeared intact and untampered with.
“So far, I can say the electoral materials are intact unless they are tampered with later,” Mugole said.
However, Mugole called upon voters to turn up in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, urging them to remain vigilant to protect their ballots. He expressed concern over what he described as conflicting guidance from security agencies.
“The law says voters should remain 20 meters away from polling stations, but we are hearing security agencies issuing contrary statements asking voters to vacate immediately after voting,” he noted.
In response, NRM representatives Asuman Kambo and Edith Tibenkana dismissed calls for voters to remain near polling stations, arguing that such actions are unnecessary.
“There is no need for people to stay at polling stations the whole day. Let voters cast their ballots and leave. Every candidate will have polling agents to safeguard the process,” Kambo said.
With all materials now in place, the Electoral Commission says Jinja City is on course for a peaceful and well-organized election as the countdown to polling day continues.
