WALVIS BAY – At least 1 850 seafarers from 16 fishing companies at the coastal town of Walvis Bay, will cast their votes in the Presidential and National assembly elections today.
Although the national elections are taking place on November 28 this year, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) made provision for seafarers to cast their votes on November 14.
Whilst briefing New Era about the elections on Thursday, the ECN Chief in Erongo Region, Johannes Kapembe said 16 fishing companies confirmed the arrival of their vessels to allow their staff to vote.
He says more vessels with crew members are expected to arrive later today and early tomorrow morning to allow sea-going personnel to cast their votes.
Asked how ECN will be able to distinguish seafarers from normal voters, Kapembe said stringent measures will be applied to make sure that only seagoing workers and personnel of the Ministry of Fishers and other institutions such as fisheries observers, vote.
“We have obtained a crewmember registry from all companies that employs seagoing workers and we will correlate his or her details with the list provided by the employer before they will be allowed to vote,” Kapembe said.
He assured New Era the procedure will not be lengthy at all.
At least 4 400 seafarers and other personnel are expected to cast their votes in Walvis Bay and Luderitz today and polling stations opened as from 07h00 until 21h00 at the two towns.
“At Walvis Bay, seafarers can cast their votes at the Kuisebmond Community Hall and the ELCIN Hosiana Parish next to the Kuisebmond Police station tomorrow. They are required to bring along their voters card to be allowed to vote,” he said.
Kapembe then urged all those that will be casting their votes today that they use the opportunity to vote rather before attending to any personal matter.
Voter Education officer of ECN, Kaino Kambidhi also told New Era yesterday they were doing the last voter education with seafarers who arrived yesterday, on request of some fishing companies.
“We have been busy since the morning and will continue to do so as the vessels docks,” she said.
Meanwhile, 12 polling officers who will be stationed at the two polling stations received a refresher course at the Hosiana Parish in Kuisebmond yesterday morning to be ready for today’s election.
By Eveline de Klerk