UGANDA: Voting underway in presidential and parliamentary polls

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

KAMPALA, 23 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Long lines formed early at polling stations across Uganda on Thursday as voters waited to cast their ballots in the country's first multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 26 years.

Election officials said voting generally started off well despite some delays in the capital, Kampala, the eastern town of Jinja and several other places.

Security was tight following the deployment of 12,000 police and army personnel across the country. Cases of voters whose names could not be found on the register were also reported, while heavy rains disrupted early voting in parts of northern and eastern regions.

"We expect the turnout to be very high," Sam Rwakoojo, secretary to Uganda's Electoral Commission, told IRIN. "Normally in parliamentary and presidential elections, high turnout is attracted."

About 10.4 million Ugandans are eligible to vote for one of five presidential candidates, and hundreds of parliamentary candidates vying for 284 seats.

Campaigning ended on a tense note on Tuesday, after weeks of political activity marked by several violent clashes between security personnel and supporters of the main opposition candidate, Kizza Besigye.

On Monday, security forces fired tear gas and water cannon at Besigye’s supporters in Kampala, as the city hosted several presidential candidates including President Yoweri Museveni, who is seeking another five-year term after 20 years in power.

The desire for change runs high in some quarters, particularly in the capital and the war-ravaged north, but observers say Besigye faces an uphill struggle to unseat the ex-guerrilla chief who seized power in a 1986 coup. A victory for Museveni, 62, would make him one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.

The polls, which opened at 0400 GMT, are expected to close at 1400 GMT. Election officials have said results should be available within 48 hours.

Also see:
UGANDA: Hunting for political support in neglected north at:
[http://www.irinnews.org/S_report.asp?ReportID=51711]

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