Linekela Halwoodi
The Electoral Commission of Namibia has confirmed that 37 175 could cast their vote for a new regional councillor of the Swakopmund constituency in the by-elections, slated for 12 August this year.
Speaking to this publication, voter education officer Mberipura Kao said about 1 894 people recently registered to vote for the elections, and that close to half of that number consists of newly or first-time registered voters.
“ECN launched the voter education campaign for the Swakopmund by-election on 16 July officially, and there has been various activities happening in and around Swakopmund since that date – like the putting up of gazebos at different venues, the posting of educational posters and the distribution of flyers. About 256 people attended voter education presentation at different companies in Swakopmund,” he said.
ECN said citizens should participate in this democratic process as they get to cast a vote for the leaders who represent them and their ideas.
According to Kao, the voter education process provides the citizens with basic information on how to participate in an election, while educating on how to register to vote and how to complete a ballot paper.
“The objective behind ECN voter education has been fostering and promoting a democratic culture and good governance so as to ensure credible election processes and results,” he said.
ECN also makes provision for those who are hospitalised, in temporary police holding and elderly or immobile to vote through availed mobile voting stations at their respective locations.
Despite this, the ECN does not make provision for alternative voting options for people at sea, as they will be required to physically cast their vote, and the ECN does not have the legal capacity to offer those facilities.
“I am very sorry but the law is very clear when it come to this type of election; you must vote in Swakopmund constituency,” Kao said.
Furthermore, those whose voter’s cards read N/A at local authority will not be able to cast their vote while the ECN revisits the issue on continuous voter registration.
ECN has also recurred that as per the Supreme Court ruling, the commission will ensure electronic voting machines are combined with a verifiable paper trail if it is to be continued in future elections; however, as of now, EVMs have been put aside as Namibia resumes the use ballot papers only.
The councillor’s position, which is to be filled by the election, was left vacant after IPC member Ciske Howard-Smith was expelled from the party. Suggestions to amend the constitution to allow a runner-up party to fill the position in such case have been aired; however, “all the stakeholders in this suggestion never came to an agreement to amend the act on this specific issue,” Kao said.