7 000 signatures or nothing, independent candidates told
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has urged aspiring independent candidates for the upcoming presidential elections to familiarise themselves with the necessary requirements to qualify for a spot on the November presidential ballot.
Chief among those requirements is that independent candidates must collect 7 000 signatures from their supporters countrywide, comprising 500 registered voters per region.
"The satisfaction of this requirement evidently demands concerted efforts and timeous execution from and by all aspiring independent candidates,” the commission’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama noted in a statement.
With several Namibians having indicated their willingness to stand as independent candidates, the commission reiterated that their supporters must be registered voters.
Independents
Among those who have publicly indicated that they intend to stand as independent candidates are activist Rosa Namises, Lydia Kandetu from the Kunene Region, businesswoman Ally Angula and freelance journalist Frans Koolike.
“It therefore goes without saying that the names to be submitted to the commission should be those that appear on the voters’ register. Aspiring candidates are hereby informed of the fact that the 2014 voters’ register is only valid until 30 September 2024, the day on which the 2024 voters’ register will be gazetted," Shaama said.
The ECN, Shaama said, will only accept the list of required supporters (registered voters) premised on the 2014 voters’ register if lodged with the commission by 30 September.
“In the event that the list of required supporters (registered voters) is submitted after the 30th of September 2024, the commission will verify the same against the voters' register produced during the 2024 GRV, which is set to be published in the Government Gazette on 30 September 2024."
The nomination period for independent candidates is set to run from 26 September to 14 October.
Chief among those requirements is that independent candidates must collect 7 000 signatures from their supporters countrywide, comprising 500 registered voters per region.
"The satisfaction of this requirement evidently demands concerted efforts and timeous execution from and by all aspiring independent candidates,” the commission’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama noted in a statement.
With several Namibians having indicated their willingness to stand as independent candidates, the commission reiterated that their supporters must be registered voters.
Independents
Among those who have publicly indicated that they intend to stand as independent candidates are activist Rosa Namises, Lydia Kandetu from the Kunene Region, businesswoman Ally Angula and freelance journalist Frans Koolike.
“It therefore goes without saying that the names to be submitted to the commission should be those that appear on the voters’ register. Aspiring candidates are hereby informed of the fact that the 2014 voters’ register is only valid until 30 September 2024, the day on which the 2024 voters’ register will be gazetted," Shaama said.
The ECN, Shaama said, will only accept the list of required supporters (registered voters) premised on the 2014 voters’ register if lodged with the commission by 30 September.
“In the event that the list of required supporters (registered voters) is submitted after the 30th of September 2024, the commission will verify the same against the voters' register produced during the 2024 GRV, which is set to be published in the Government Gazette on 30 September 2024."
The nomination period for independent candidates is set to run from 26 September to 14 October.
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