Charles Ndeumane

ONGWEDIVA – The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has raised concerns over the low turnout of electorates for voter registration despite 1.7 million people being eligible to vote.

In a media statement, ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said only 823 761 have registered to vote in the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections, earmarked for 27 November this year.

He said despite registration numbers having picked up since the beginning of July, the figures do not compare to that of eligible voters in the country.

“The Commission is pleased to inform stakeholders and members of the public that since the commencement of the General Registration of Voters on 3 June to 6 July 2024, a cumulative total number of 823 761 eligible Namibians registered as voters inside the country and at all Namibian Diplomatic Missions abroad. This figure represents an average of 24 562 registered voters per day from 1 to 6 July 2024,” he stated.

The Commission urges all eligible Namibian citizens who have not yet registered to do so within the remaining weeks. “Namibians are further reminded that there is no window to opportunity for extending the period of registration of voters,” he said. 

The last day to register will be 1 August 2024.

In an interview, ECN’s cooperate communications manager De Wet Siluka said the remaining days can make a difference.

“We are still optimistic that eligible voters will continue to register – and that in the end, the figures will reach the predicted number,” he said.

-mrndeumaneraycharles@gmail.com