Namibia reached a milestone when it reported a cumulative total number of 1 315 124 eligible Namibians registered as voters inside the country and at all Namibian Diplomatic Missions abroad, representing 81% of the eligible voters.
Based on the latest figures from the Namibia Statistics Agency, there are about 1.7 million eligible Namibians.
The general registration of voters (GRV), coming to an end in the next two days, is recording statistics from 3 June to 27 July 2024.
“Namibians are further reminded that there is no window of opportunity for extending the voter registration period. The GRV continues across the country and at all Namibian diplomatic missions abroad until 1 August 2024, Monday to Thursday, from 08h00 to 19h00,” stated the chief electoral and referenda officer, Peter Shaama.
When New Era visited Onampinda village in the Okatana constituency in the Oshana region, many young people were not yet registered.
Martin Shilongo complained that he had no valid reason to register since he was not willing to vote.
“I am unemployed and suffering. I completed my studies years ago, but here I am, drinking tombo. What must I do if I don’t even have the capital to start a business for myself?” he asked.
Another young man who was drinking tombo and did not want his identity revealed said he was not into politics, so he would not register.
“I have better things to do than standing in that long queue for nothing. What will I benefit? I am already hungry,” he stressed.
An elderly man from the same village, who registered to vote last week, Simson Shigwedha, said it seems to be an issue in youth reluctance to register to vote, despite calls for registration.
“I urge all citizens to register for their voters’ cards, as it is crucial and empowers citizens to have a voice in shaping the future of the country. The turnout of young voters could significantly influence election outcomes and shape political priorities and policymaking,” he said.
ECN’s statistics show that 89% (116 752 of a possible 130 718 eligible voters) in Oshana have registered.
Satisfied
ECN’s electoral officer for Oshana Amon Oiva Haimbangu said they are satisfied with the registration – and that “so far, the registration is going smoothly. I hope we will reach our target before Thursday this week, which is the last day of registration”.
He called on eligible Namibians to register in their respective constituencies to ensure their participation in the upcoming national elections, further urging people to register now to avoid the last minute, as there will not be an extension.
In an interview with this publication, Oshikoto electoral coordinator Ester Hipangelwa said currently, the registration process is going smoothly, and more voters are showing up to register than before.
She strongly believes that Thursday will see the largest number of people going to register.
“We believe that many people will register on the last day. There will be an agricultural fair taking place at the sports field in Omuthiya from 31 July, and we will set up a registration point in the stadium.
Many people will be at the fair, and we will bring registration services to them. We believe that the figures will increase significantly on the last day,” she said.
Oshikoto region is one of the eight regions that have achieved 81% (103 413 of a possible 127 612 eligible voters)by yesterday.
More people are expected to register on the deadline, and Oshikoto looks to record one of the most successful registration campaigns.
Visiting the polling stations in Erongo, New Era observed that more young people were at the registration points.
Most of the polling stations in rural constituencies were busier than those in the urban constituencies.
However, no long queues were observed.
According to the regional electoral officer for Erongo, Aune Ndaveka, although the registration process started at a slow pace, a steady increase has been observed, mainly from young people.
She anticipates a huge turnout starting today, seeing that registration is ending on Thursday.
Asked whether they are ready for the last three days of registration, she said that they are prepared to handle a larger turnout.
“We even got more equipment, and have reinforced our team to be able to accommodate the demand. You know, as Namibians, we like to do things at the last minute. So, we have put measures in place to accommodate more people because we are expecting a larger turnout. Our resources and everything we need are in place to accommodate the people. We are ready,” she told New Era.
Erongo has so far registered (125 273 of a possible 151 442 eligible voters), which represents 83%.
Jonas Motinga (18) said as a responsible citizen he carried out his obligation to register to qualify him as an eligible voter.
«We, as the youth, comprise the majority of the Namibian nation – and if we sit idle to let things happen, when are we going to have a say in decision-making processes and choose our preferred leaders,» he added.
The International University of Management student also raised the concern of them not giving any opportunities to develop themselves for a better future.
«Here, in Berseba, most of the youth are wandering the street, having no job and lured by substance abuse and crime,» he said.
Motinga further implored on government to come to their rescue, and recommended the implementation of income-earning, self-sustainable projects like gardening, livestock farming and entrepreneurial interventions as well as access to tertiary institutions and vocational training.
“I hereby wish to urge my peers to please go and register, as we can together make a difference to be recognised by government as part of a productive segment of the population,” he said.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Jascinda Goliath argued that citizens in the area are sometimes tired of political parties’ empty promises when campaigning for votes, hence their reluctance to go and register.
“I was also sceptical of doing so, but I later changed my mind when I realised that silence means accepting your destiny,” she said.
She also pleaded that their leaders should find ways to attract investments in remote areas that can provide employment in return.
“One of the biggest challenges here is the fact that most of us are depending on social grants of our pensioners – and as a resident, I am calling on government to please consider increasing old age pensions to a percentage equal to the inflation rate, as beneficiaries can simply not survive from the current allowances,” she added.
Too young
However, several young people also expressed their disappointment that they will not be able to take part in the presidential elections.
“I am turning 18 on 4 August, but I cannot register,” said Innocentia Xaweses, who was accompanying her older sister to register.
According to her, she wanted to be part of the crucial elections. However, she is looking forward to at least registering next year for the local authority elections.
Another teenager, who is also turning 18 in September this year, Claus Blaauw, told New Era that young people have become more aware of the crucial role they play in voting, and how exercising their democratic right can hold politicians accountable.
“The fact that we can vote as young people means a lot. We want to see a change in Namibia. We want to see unemployment and poverty being addressed by those we choose as leaders, and that can only happen if we, as young people, go out and register to vote,” he said.
He also plans to register during the supplementary registration process next year.
Anke Smit, who recently turned 18, said that she is privileged enough to vote for the first time in her life.
“I think as a young person, being able to vote and be part of such an important activity is indescribable. I am happy that I can finally vote and exercise my right as a Namibian,” she told New Era.
In the Kavango West region, the regional electoral officer Elizabeth Visagie told New Era that it has been going quite well, as people have been going to registration points that have been determined – “and obviously, it’s the last week. We hopefully want people to still make use of the remaining days to go and register. Most of my teams were or are mobile, and have been moving from one point to another in the different constituencies,” she said.
The only challenge she highlighted was the issue of the lack of national documents.
“Although there were people in that particular village, the challenge is they don’t have the required documents to register,” she noted.
The Kavango East electoral officer, Paulus Sifire, said “We have introduced what we call pop-up registration, whereby we are identifying areas that are densely populated, and we put up a registration point. This also includes offices like for essential service providers who struggle to get time to go join the lines”.
He told New Era that their initiative is helping the statistics to grow.
“The turn-up has started to go up today, compared to the previous weeks,” he said.
When asked if there are perhaps any operational or identified hiccups, he said “So far, so good. Can’t be compared to the beginning of the exercise”.
Extension
The residents of Uupindi location at Oshakati have called on the ECN to extend the registration days for the voters’ cards because many people haven’t registered yet.
Speaking to New Era yesterday at the Uupindi Community Hall, Ndeshipanda Matheus (58) suggested that ECN gives an opportunity to people to register towards the end of August to ensure everyone has registered.
“The extension of one month will enable huge numbers of people to participate during the upcoming election,” she added, expressing joy after she managed to register, saying she looks forward to exercising her right.
Hilya Nambambi said days were few, and ECN should extend with another 15 days.
“Some people didn’t register because they were still at work. Therefore, ECN should consider the extension days of registration to give a fair chance to everyone,” she said.
Hangula Nanghama (29) has expressed his frustration over his fellow youth who do not want to go and register.
“Many youths didn’t register because they were just focusing on unnecessary activities. ECN should focus on providing education on the communities, and share information about the importance of voting,” he added.
He suggested that the government should make it compulsory that everyone must carry his and her voter’s card, especially at the checkpoints.
“People without voters’ cards should be given a fine. Students must not be allowed to enrol classes without a voter’s card,” he suggested.
Youth
Nanghama added that it is very important for all the Namibians to participate in the upcoming elections so that they vote for leaders.
“Youth are out there complaining about unemployment, but they don’t want to go register for voters’ cards. When you vote for a new leader, you make a change,” he said.
New Era also spoke to several youthful political leaders, who attributed the turnout to their civic and voter education campaigns.
The Outjo constituency councillor and member of parliament, Johannes Antsino, said he is pleased with the turnout at voter registration points, where almost everyone in his constituency has registered.
“I am satisfied with the turnout. Of course, it is not 100% because we still have some people of voting age who do not have national identification documents. Some pass on during the registration processes, but the majority, I am reliably informed, are registered,” he said.
Ephraim Nekongo, Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary, also expressed his satisfaction over the voter registration at the national level, attributing the success to his party’s civic education strategies.
“We have issued a strong call to action for all SPYL members and Namibian youths within our structures – from sections to branches and all our districts. We mobilised our entire organisation to prioritise and intensify efforts in registering every eligible youth – members and all young Namibians across the country,” he said.
“We have left no stone unturned in our quest to ensure maximum youth participation in the upcoming elections. Our leaders at all levels have been instructed to lead by example, and actively engage with young people, organising targeted campaigns and leveraging community networks to facilitate the registration process,” he added.
Antsino and Nekongo urged eligible voters who have not yet registered to use the remaining days to register to vote.
“To all SPYL members and Namibian youths, we issue a resounding call to action. Your vote is your voice, and registering to vote is a fundamental right and responsibility. We urge you to seize this opportunity to make a difference in the future of our country by registering to vote and participating in the democratic process,” Nekongo said.
“On the last lap of the registration period, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has been on the ground more deliberately and vigorously to get as many young people as we can to the registration points. Our message as the PDM has always been clear – the work we’ve done in parliament and as a party is a testament to that. This is what our campaign highlights: the consistent advocacy for the development of our country, building a Namibia that works for all and not a select few,” said Inna Hengari, PDM member of parliament.
Sharing similar sentiments, Hidipo Hamata of PDM said his party has been touring every corner of the country, sensitising eligible voters to register.
“Our message is very pure and straightforward: people should go register to vote. We are doing this as a movement because we don’t want voter apathy, and we want people to raise their voices through this democratic process,” he said.
He added: “The PDM has a massive online and ground mobilisation campaign to ensure that the masses of our people, especially young people, are registered to vote. We urge all other political parties and stakeholders to join us in this endeavour. It is imperative that we get all our young people who qualify to vote to participate in our electoral processes”.
Other political party leaders who expressed their satisfaction include Imms Nashinge of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who last week said: “We are now at 1.1 million voters. We are positive that the numbers will change. Namibians love last-minute things, but our hope is that at least 1.3 million eligible voters will be registered to vote. As IPC, we are the only political party that launched a ‘Go Register’ campaign to supplement the ECN’s various campaigns that were launched on 3 June 2024. Our president has been all over the country, encouraging people to go and register”.
*This article was compiled by New Era journalists from across the country.
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