Windhoek
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will as of Monday, September 21, display the details of provisional voters registered at designated places countrywide.
The data will be publicly displayed until September 25, as proclaimed by the president and published in the Government Gazette on September 16.
In a telephonic interview yesterday, ECN director of operation, Theo Mujoro said the reason for displaying the provisional voters’ register to the public and stakeholders is to afford them an opportunity to inspect the register with a view to correcting any mistakes that may have been made during the registration process.
“The display of the provisional voters’ registers also serves a primary purpose, which is to afford the public an opportunity to object to the inclusion of the names of persons who are not supposed to appear in the voters’ register,” he said.
Following the general registration of voters this was the next crucial step in the electoral process, he said. “The inspection of the provisional voters’ register will take place at designated places in all constituencies and local authorities countrywide,” he said, adding that the commission has also appointed officials at all designated venues to guide voters and stakeholders during the inspection.
In addition to the designated display venues, the public may also view the provisional voters’ register at the ECN’s headquarter at Election House in Windhoek.
The display of the provisional voters’ register is a legal requirement in terms of Namibia’s electoral law. In accordance with Section 21 of the Electoral Act of 1992, the ECN is legally obliged to prepare and display the provisional voters’ register for public inspection.
In November Namibian voters will go to the polls to elect new regional and local councillors to serve for the next five years. Regional councils are responsible for the development and administration of the regions and councilors are expected to promote development in their regions and to improve the living conditions of its residents.
During the first sitting of any regional council, the members elect two councillors to represent the region in the National Council.
Local authority councils include all municipalities, town councils and village councils.