ECN warns against last-minute voter registration
Media, observer accreditation process commences
With less than a month to go, more than half of all eligible voters have yet to register.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has cautioned eligible voters to avoid a last-minute scramble to obtain their voter cards.
With the General Registration of Voters (GRV) process having crossed the halfway mark, official figures indicate that less than half of eligible voters have registered across the country so far.
By 22 June, the number of registered voters stood at 536 202. The figure represents an average of 28 211 voter registrations per day between 17 and 22 June.
With less than a month until the GRV process concludes, more than a million eligible voters have yet to visit a voter registration point.
ECN has reiterated that those who miss the opportunity to register before the 1 August deadline will not be able to vote because there will be no supplementary GRV process.
“We urge eligible Namibians to register before the deadline, as there will be no extension given,” ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said when contacted yesterday.
Accreditation process
He also indicated that ECN has started receiving applications for accreditation for both local and international journalists and observers to monitor the 27 November parliamentary and presidential elections.
Namibians will take to the polls later this year to elect the leadership of the eighth administration, in what is expected to be a contested election.
According to the ECN, media and observers have until 31 October to apply for accreditation.
Siluka confirmed yesterday that the process has commenced as per the electoral calendar.
He said local and international observers, as well as media houses, can apply for accreditation through the ECN. International observers and media houses can also apply through the international relations ministry.
Registration security
ECN also reminded eligible voters to present only original documents at registration points.
This comes after an incident occurred in Swakopmund in which an applicant was barred from registering as a voter upon presenting a copy of a laminated Namibian identity document. The incident was detected by ECN officials at the Lion Old Age Home registration point in the Swakopmund constituency last month.
“The commission assures its stakeholders that all registration officials have been directed to remain vigilant and ensure the integrity of the voter registration process by thoroughly verifying documents presented by applicants upon registration,” ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said.
Shaama added: “This was an isolated incident that was handled swiftly and effectively by registration officials at the aforesaid registration point. This action is very commendable as it assured protection of credibility of the registration process. Equally, the commission reiterates its commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process at all material times.”
With the General Registration of Voters (GRV) process having crossed the halfway mark, official figures indicate that less than half of eligible voters have registered across the country so far.
By 22 June, the number of registered voters stood at 536 202. The figure represents an average of 28 211 voter registrations per day between 17 and 22 June.
With less than a month until the GRV process concludes, more than a million eligible voters have yet to visit a voter registration point.
ECN has reiterated that those who miss the opportunity to register before the 1 August deadline will not be able to vote because there will be no supplementary GRV process.
“We urge eligible Namibians to register before the deadline, as there will be no extension given,” ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said when contacted yesterday.
Accreditation process
He also indicated that ECN has started receiving applications for accreditation for both local and international journalists and observers to monitor the 27 November parliamentary and presidential elections.
Namibians will take to the polls later this year to elect the leadership of the eighth administration, in what is expected to be a contested election.
According to the ECN, media and observers have until 31 October to apply for accreditation.
Siluka confirmed yesterday that the process has commenced as per the electoral calendar.
He said local and international observers, as well as media houses, can apply for accreditation through the ECN. International observers and media houses can also apply through the international relations ministry.
Registration security
ECN also reminded eligible voters to present only original documents at registration points.
This comes after an incident occurred in Swakopmund in which an applicant was barred from registering as a voter upon presenting a copy of a laminated Namibian identity document. The incident was detected by ECN officials at the Lion Old Age Home registration point in the Swakopmund constituency last month.
“The commission assures its stakeholders that all registration officials have been directed to remain vigilant and ensure the integrity of the voter registration process by thoroughly verifying documents presented by applicants upon registration,” ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said.
Shaama added: “This was an isolated incident that was handled swiftly and effectively by registration officials at the aforesaid registration point. This action is very commendable as it assured protection of credibility of the registration process. Equally, the commission reiterates its commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process at all material times.”
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