Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Donald Matthys
Published on 2024-03-08 12:11:18
Election day in Namibia is set for 27 November, with voter registration taking place from 3 June to 1 August. Independent candidates can be nominated on 14 October, while political parties have until 16 October to make their nominations. Those living abroad, seagoing personnel, and army personnel will be able to cast their votes on 13 November.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has emphasized the importance of voter registration for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections. Minister of urban and rural development Erastus Uutoni highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the election process during the launch of the ECN’s 2024 electoral calendar in Windhoek.
Uutoni urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a fair and transparent election process. The general voter registration period will run from 3 June to 1 August, with the nomination of independent candidates scheduled for 14 October and nominations for political parties on 16 October. Voting for Namibians abroad and seafarers will take place on 13 November.
Addressing the issue of low voter turnout, Uutoni emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to encourage greater participation in the electoral process. In the 2019 elections, over 500,000 eligible voters did not cast their ballots, highlighting the need for increased civic education and awareness campaigns.
The ECN has adopted a Civic and Voter Education Awareness Strategy to promote civic duty and engagement among citizens. The campaign, titled ‘Enhancing Electoral Democracy through Electoral Processes,’ aims to raise awareness of the importance of voting and encourage citizen participation in elections.
To streamline the electoral process, the ECN has introduced an integrated mobile vote registration system to manage various electoral tasks. Ensuring transparency is crucial to maintaining the credibility of the electoral process and minimizing confusion and doubt.
ECN operations manager Zenia Klazen stated that political parties, associations, and organizations were invited to observe a mock registration exercise in various constituencies to familiarize themselves with the process. This hands-on approach aims to enhance understanding and participation in the electoral process.
In preparation for the upcoming elections, ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua highlighted the requirement for all eligible citizens to register afresh to cast their votes. The use of manual ballot papers, rather than electronic voting machines, will be employed in this year’s elections to ensure a smooth and transparent voting process.
Chief ECN election officer Peter Shaama introduced a service charter to guide the upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of providing high-quality services that are responsive, accessible, impartial, transparent, and consistent.
As the election date approaches, the ECN is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process to uphold the democratic rights of Namibian citizens. With comprehensive voter education and awareness campaigns, the ECN aims to increase voter turnout and promote a culture of civic duty and engagement among all citizens.
Read the original article on The Namibian
