OMUTHIYA – The Swapo Party regional coordinator for Oshikoto, Armas Amukwiyu, has urged party members, especially young and first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right by ensuring they register to vote for next year’s general elections and to go out and vote as well.
“Our struggle for freedom secured the right for every Namibian to be active participants in our democratic system hence there is a need to be conscious of using your democratic right to vote for the party of your choice. Your party of choice in this case is the ruling Swapo Party as the sole and authentic representative of democratic rule and national development,” said Amukwiyu. He added that by voting, young Namibians, as well as older citizens, would honour the country’s history and continue “to strengthen the legitimacy of our democracy”.
Amukwiyu made the announcement when he met regional leaders to commission the mobilization campaign of Swapo Party in the Oshikoto Region. Voter registration takes place from January15 – March 02, 2014.
“We must start now to ensure that our members are ready to register to vote. In all likelihood, the current voter registration cards will be invalidated to comply with the Electoral Act which directs that voter cards should be replaced after every 10 years. This will be a challenge on its own hence my appeal to each and every member of our party to drive that point home in preparation for the registration of voters. We cannot vote if we do not register and be listed as voters,” said Amukwiyu.
Ondangwa based political analyst, Phillp Shivute, told New Era the introduction of an electronic voting system could possibly undermine the authenticity of election results since the system was never tested in Namibia before.
Shivute claims the population of Namibia does not require the new technology in the form of electronic voting machines considering the fact that previous election results that were handled manually were very reliable and accurate and fully represented the wishes and aspirations of the Namibian electorate.
“New systems and technologies always have the ability to fail processes especially when it is not our own locally invented product. I hope the move by the Directorate of Elections is not going to create more confusion that may lead to more judicial challenges. I feel more comfortable to go manually like in the olden days,” he said.
Amukwiyu called upon party members to ensure the 2014 elections achieve the same large voter turnout as seen in most elections since independence.
Amukwiyu also urged party members in the northern regions to attend a star rally in Mpungu in Kavango West, which will be addressed by President Hifikepunye Pohamba on December 14 in his capacity as the president of Swapo Party.
By Engel Nawatiseb