The Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, has confirmed the arrival of the first consignment of Presidential ballot papers into the country ahead of the national polls in a few weeks time.
The ballots arrived aboard a privately chartered cargo aircraft operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic for the Network Aviation Group, which touched down at Entebbe International Airport on Wednesday night.
While addressing journalists after the arrival of the ballots at Entebbe Airport, Justice Byabakama noted that the consignment consists of 193 pallets of presidential ballot papers printed in Dubai by Al Ghurair Printing & Publishing Company.
“This evening, we are receiving the first consignment, which consists of 193 pallets of presidential ballot papers that have arrived from Dubai,” he said.
Justice Byabakama further assured the public that the materials are secure
“They are very safe and very secure. There is absolutely no doubt about their security,” he said.
Justice Byabakama, revealed that the ballot papers were organized and labeled by district to ease handling and distribution.
“These ballot papers are marked by district. This arrangement will help us pack them accordingly and distribute them efficiently to their respective destinations,” Byabakama said.
Justice Byabakama said a second consignment of parliamentary ballot papers is expected on Thursday, while the final consignment will arrive on December 26, 2025.
He also said the Commission printed slightly more ballots than the 21,681,491 registered voters across 50,739 polling stations to cater for spoiled ballot papers.
“The law allows a voter who spoils a ballot paper to return it to the presiding officer and receive another one. That is why we print slightly more ballots than the number of voters on the national voters’ register,” Justice Byabakama explained.
