RUACANA – The sun had hardly risen in the different parts of the Omusati region when queues of anticipatory voters – young and old alike – started forming in front of polling stations.
They were eager to exercise their hard-earned democratic right to vote for their preferred candidates.
Most presiding officers in the region said they had not experienced any glitches.
Omusati governor Erginus Endjala was one of the first people to cast his vote at the Ombalantu Traditional Authority offices yesterday.
The governor then urged the residents of the Omusati region to come out in large numbers to vote, because only through voting can their voices be heard.
“I encourage all Namibians to come out in their thousands to cast their votes because that’s the only time we will be able to determine the future of this country, and through voting, we will also be able to bring the changes our people need,” he said.
He added that Namibians had the opportunity in their hands to elect their preferred candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Ombalantu Traditional Authority chief Oswin Mukulu also cast his vote, and encouraged all registered young voters to do the same.
Voting at the Oshifo settlement near Ruacana in the Omusati region likewise progressed well, with excited community members turning up in huge numbers early in the morning.
The presiding officer at the Oshifo Community Hall said they had not experienced any hiccups since the voting started at 07h00.
“By around 09h00, about 200 people had already cast their votes in the process . As you can see, we did not experience any difficulties. People are moving fast, and we expect more people to come and vote as the day progresses,” the official noted.
Michael Mukupi said he came to exercise his democratic right, as enshrined in the Constitution.
“I voted because I wanted to exercise my democratic right, and this is why I am burning in the sun to make my voice heard,” he added.
Members of the Oshifo community are part of more than 1.4 million Namibians who were registered to vote in the elections.
Fransina Thobias, a first-time voter, stood near the front of the line, clutching her voter’s registration card.
“I have waited for this day. It feels like my voice finally matters,” she said with a nervous smile.
Michael Thompson, a comedian from Ruacana, greeted each voter with a warm smile and joked with almost everyone, leaving voters in the queue bursting into laughter at every joke.
“It’s about community; no matter who you vote for, we’re all part of something bigger,” he said loudly.
As the day wore on, more voters came, and the queues stretched around the polling stations.
The venues stayed open to ensure every person in line could cast their vote.