Queues of Ugandan voters grow with little social distancing

Ugandans were voting Thursday in a presidential election tainted by widespread violence that some fear could escalate as security forces try to stop supporters of leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine from monitoring polling stations. Voters lined up outside a polling station on Thursday, with thousands turning out to elect their new president.

However, there was little social distancing and voting officers were having to encourage people to wear their masks. The elections have faced additional challenges with some polling stations receiving voting materials late and in one polling station the electronic voters indentification system failed, causing delays as elections officials switched to a manual system.

Results are expected within 48 hours of polls closing at 4 p.m. More than 17 million people are registered voters in this East African country of 45 million people. A candidate must win more than 50% to avoid a runoff vote.