OTJINENE – After holding successful elections in three constituencies using electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is confident and convinced the new voting machines would be well used in the November elections as well.
But the ECN says the use of EVMs requires more complex preparations.
ECN’s director of operations, Theo Mujoro, praised the use of EVMs, saying after the announcement of the outcome of the Otjinene Local Authority election on Friday night that they enhanced the voting process.
He said they were now preparing for the by-elections in Windhoek West in Khomas Region and Endola in Ohangwena Region.
“We have dispelled fears and doubts about the use of EVMs. It’s a reality, they are working perfectly,” Mujoro said.
Nico Mingelius, the ECN head of information technology said he was equally proud and happy the EVMs’ use was not only successful but that everybody accepted them.
“Any fears they had must be put to rest,” he said, adding that national elections can also be handled in the same manner in one day as long as political parties play their part.
The Otjinene election followed hot on the heels of the Ohangwena by-election where EVMs were used successfully for the first time in Namibia.
Presiding officers and party agents at various polling stations in that region spoke highly of the machines, especially about the speed at which the electoral process went.
At Bukalo in Zambezi where a local authority election was held, the director of elections, Dr Paul Isaak, said he was very satisfied with the process with zero spoilt ballots.
He praised the machines’ reliability, accuracy, simplicity, and user and voter-friendliness.