KEETMANSHOOP – Regional managers of the Electoral Commission of Namibia recently held a stakeholders meeting in Keetmanshoop as part of its preparations for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for 27 November 2024.
Governor Aletha Frederick described the purpose of the meeting as that of preparing the electorate for the upcoming elections.
“As we stand on the edge of an important electoral event, it is imperative that we come together as a community to ensure that our democratic processes are upheld with integrity and transparency,” she noted.
Frederick continued that such engagements play a crucial role in fostering stakeholder understanding of electoral processes in that it provides a platform for dialogue, collaboration and cooperation among key actors involved in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
“By bringing together various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, media representatives and community leaders, this meeting serves as a vital forum to exchange ideas, address challenges and enhance transparency in the electoral process, “ the governor said.
“I implore all stakeholders representing the diverse interests and voices of our region’s citizens to actively participate in the planned activities leading up to the November elections, and extend their full support and cooperation to the ECN,” she added.
Political leaders during the meeting expressed, among others, concern over consultations regarding the identification of venues for the upcoming general voters’ registration exercise, scheduled from 3 June 2024 till 1 August 2024.
//Kharas electoral officer Jejamaije Mujoro said they can approach the ECN headquarters in such instances to look into their concerns, like instances where people relocated to other areas from venues identified, or the need might exist to extend the registration process in densely-populated areas for the full period, instead of partially with semi-fixed registration teams.
Similar meetings will be conducted at constituency level during the next three weeks. The ECN has a vital mandate to organise, direct, supervise, manage and control the conduct of elections and referenda in a manner that is free, fair, transparent and impartial.
-sklukowski@nepc.com.na