Voters Tear Gassed in Uganda Amid Voting Delays

Unit 2
http://www.voanews.com/content/poll-stations-wait-for-ballots-late-to-open-in-uganda/3196056.html

Police in Kampala leave a polling place with empty ballot boxes, spilling many boxes onto the road as they hastily departed. E. Paulat/VOA 

 

Voters in Kampala, Uganda became outrage when public officials closed ballot boxes early on Thursday February 18th.  This caused police to fire tear gas into the crowds of outrage voters.  A journalist for VOA says police started firing when the crowd came close to the police lines.  The chaos ended when police stood down and the crowd dispersed.  The Ugandan electoral commission announced that "polling has started on time in various parts of the country" but noted delays in parts of the capital and in Wakiso District.  The statement said the commission expresses its regrets for the late delivery of polling materials to those locations. 15 million Ugandans have registered to vote in the elections.

Poll workers preparing for voters to come inside at Mulago polling station in Kampala, Uganda, Feb. 18, 2016. (J. Craig/VOA)

 

 

In Uganda register voters are strictly only allowed to vote for a president, parliament and local government seats.  There are no referendums on a voting ballot in Uganda.  Just like the 26th amendment in the U.S. the voting age is 18.  In Uganda the population is just under 40 million.  There is a significant number of citizens who are eligible voters while only 15 millions are register voters.  The current president has been in power for 30 years.  He actually faces a challenge of 7 different opponents this year.  It is public opinion that the voting system is rigged.  Social media played a large factor in the outrage.  If the closing of polls is happening in large cities, one can only think what happens in small villages.

Two police officers in riot gear talk as the line of angry voters in Kampala advances. E. Paulat/VOA