There is a mad rush at the Electoral Commission branch in Masaka town to get voting materials out to polling stations this morning after it was discovered that a large number of ballot boxes and ballot papers were not delivered in time.
As late as 8:30 a.m. presiding officers were scuttling around the Commission's office on Kampala Road in Masaka. They scrambled to pick up ballot boxes, ballot papers, ink and troughs, placing them for delivery on the only truck available.
The Masaka Returning Officer, Ephraim Tugume, could not explain what caused the delay. He was too busy to give a meaningful answer and only blamed the presiding officers for not picking up the materials on time.
Tugume also had no solution as to how voting materials destined for rural Masaka would arrive there in time when there was only one delivery vehicle available.
At polling stations throughout Masaka Municipality people waited anxiously to cast their vote.
Moses Mwesigye, an NRM agent at Mutuba Gardens polling station, said the delay was frustrating voters.
Abubaker Mulumba, who arrived early at Mutuba Gardens to vote, said he was even considering abandoning the elections because of the delay.
At Lions polling station, eight people waited in line. However, the presiding officer Mercy Komugisha was no where to be seen and tensions were rising fast.
Only a few polling stations in Masaka town seemed to have opened on time. At the Town Yard polling stations, the booths were opened, but there were only five people in line.
Activity in Masaka appears to be going on oblivious of the LC5 elections today. Many people say they have no intention in participating in the vote.
Christopher Drambere, a trader in the town, is one of those who will not vote today. He says he was frustrated by the outcome of the presidential elections, which he insists were rigged. He says he has no enthusiasm to participate in another round of voting.
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