Namibia’s 2024 general elections were held in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
However, the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) has warned that serious logistical and administrative failures by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) risk damaging public confidence in the country’s democratic process.
While voters turned out in large numbers across all 14 regions in a stable political environment, the voting process itself was disrupted by ballot shortages, long queues, and technical malfunctions.
These are among the issues the SADC mission says must be urgently addressed to protect the credibility of future elections.
Adherence
According to the preliminary report issued by SEOM recently, on 29 November 2024, the elections largely adhered to democratic principles.
“The environment at the polling stations was relatively calm and peaceful, and no significant incidents of violence or intimidation were observed,” said Anne Semamba Makinda, the head of the SEOM and former Speaker of the Tanzanian National Assembly.
“However, the mission noted several operational challenges that stakeholders may wish to address moving forward.”
Furthermore, the SEOM praised Namibians for their orderly and peaceful participation but did not shy away from highlighting what went wrong.
“The voting on 27 November 2024 was characterised by operational lapses such as a shortage of ballot papers, heating of tablets, running out of batteries for ultraviolet light torches, and mobile polling stations leaving before some voters had cast their vote,” said Makinda.
Findings
During the elections, SEOM deployed 65 observers across all 14 regions of Namibia. Their findings show that the political campaigns leading up to the election were peaceful, with increased participation of young people in politics. The Commission also received praise for gender-inclusive recruitment, with over 65% of polling officials being women, and for accommodating visually impaired voters through the use of braille ballots.
Despite this progress, the report highlighted a series of issues that disrupted the voting process.
One of the most serious concerns was the shortage of ballot papers at polling stations on election day.
This forced former president Nangolo Mbumba at the time to gazette an extension of the voting period at 36 polling stations from 27 to 30 November.
“The voting on 27 November 2024 was characterised by operational lapses such as a shortage of ballot papers, overheating of tablets, and mobile polling stations leaving before some voters had cast their vote,” the report stated.
Observers also reported that while 62.5% of polling stations opened on time, more than a third opened late due to poor preparation, late arrival of party agents, or confusion at queues.
Long queues formed outside many polling stations early in the morning, and in some areas, voting continued beyond the official date after Mbumba signed a special gazette extending voting to 30 November at 36 polling stations affected by ballot shortages.
Despite the setbacks, the SADC mission found that the election was generally free from violence and intimidation.
Security personnel were present at all polling stations observed, and the political campaign period was described as peaceful.
Additionally, voters were allowed to cast their ballots in any part of the country, regardless of where they were registered, a practice permitted by Namibia’s electoral law but one that caused additional logistical complications.
Management
SEOM stressed that while the ECN maintained professionalism and transparency in its overall conduct, there were inefficiencies in its planning and execution.
The recruitment of temporary polling staff was done late, leading to a near-crisis when workers threatened to withdraw over pay grievances just before the election.
“These operational matters, such as contracting temporary staff, could have been done earlier to give enough room for negotiations,” the mission noted.
System
In addition, the current system—where voters can cast ballots in any constituency irrespective of where they are registered—caused logistical headaches.
Makinda urged electoral authorities to consider reforms to improve efficiency and accountability. “The government should consider reforming its electoral system, as the current system, where the country is perceived as one constituency allowing voters to vote in any constituency, creates logistical and administrative challenges,” she said.
The report noted that voter education efforts were commendable, with the ECN producing materials such as a voter booklet and QR-coded accreditation cards to help inform citizens. However, some remote areas reportedly did not receive adequate voter education, raising concerns about inclusivity.
Meanwhile, observers also reported that in 12.5% of the polling stations they visited, access for people with disabilities was inadequate, with some polling stations located in buildings that could not be reached easily by those with mobility challenges.
Access
Observers from SADC were allowed to carry out their duties in most polling stations, but there were instances where access was denied or restricted, further raising questions about transparency and coordination.
Some stakeholders also complained about unequal access to state-owned media, despite most media houses’ efforts to provide fair coverage.
While Namibia has been lauded internationally for its strong representation of women in Parliament and Cabinet, the SEOM warned that some political parties are failing to implement internal policies to maintain gender equity, putting this progress at risk.
The report also called for clearer legal provisions regarding the announcement of results and procedures following elections, stating that vague laws can cause uncertainty and delay.
Recommendation
The SEOM made several early recommendations. One of the most urgent recommendations was the need for the ECN to develop a robust ballot paper management strategy to prevent future shortages. This includes accurate forecasting using voter registration data, stronger contingency planning, and consistent audits of distribution procedures. “In cases of shortages, all stakeholders must be promptly informed and consulted to maintain transparency and accountability,” the report said.
The SADC mission also recommended that the ECN establish a formal crisis management framework. This system should spell out the steps to be followed during emergencies, including ballot shortages or the extension of voting days. It should also define how decisions will be made, who will be consulted, and how communication will be handled in real time.
Communication was highlighted as a significant area of weakness in the 2024 elections. The SEOM urged the ECN to put in place clear and timely communication protocols with all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society groups, and election observers.
To strengthen long-term confidence, the SADC mission advised the ECN to hold a post-election stakeholder review. Such a forum would allow political parties, civil society organisations, and observers to voice concerns and propose solutions directly.