Elections: ECN needs additional N$60m
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) yesterday told President Nangolo Mbumba that it is short of roughly N$60 million to run a smooth voter registration and national election process.
ECN has earmarked N$269 million towards facilitating this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections in November, but commissioners deem this inadequate. Of a targeted 1.6 million eligible voters in the country, 1.18 million have registered so far, the commission told the head of state during a visit to State House.
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua told the media on the sidelines of the visit that their target was initially to register 1.7 million voters, but this has been revised to 1.6 million following the release of the preliminary population census results in March.
“The 1.7 million includes everyone that is 18 and above and not necessarily only the Namibians. So, we asked them [the Namibia Statistics Agency] to give us the correct statistics so we can start working on the process. In terms of our statistics, it really makes a difference.
“Our projections for the remaining days is that we are standing at 63% [registration of eligible voters], and we are projecting that there is a possibility of reaching 85% of that number," she said.
N$60m shortfall
She explained that given the change in numbers, there are new and unforeseen expenses they will have to cater for.
"There is normally a budget review process with the ministry of finance, and I think it will take place in August. It was a sufficient [budget]. The [census] statistics were released after we had already procured some of the registration kits and, with the new figure, we needed to take additional kits. It means there is a shortfall, but we will present our case to the ministry.
“The shortfall could be in the range of N$60 million, but that might not be the final figure. There were many unforeseen expenses, more teams and having to source more vehicles from private owners," she explained.
According to her, the cars they plan to procure will be 10 at most and will be for daily use at the commission. She pleaded with government ministries and agencies to release their vehicles so the ECN relies less on private owners.
"During the election period, we need a lot more vehicles. It might be 900 or over a 1 000 and certainly those cannot be purchased in one financial year. At the moment, we only have 110 vehicles in our fleet; some at headquarters and some at our offices. But probably only about 60% are in a workable condition. That is why we approached the ministry to procure additional vehicles,” Nghikembua said.
No extension
She also stressed that there is no need for an extension of the registration process, but said, instead, they are looking at beefing up their campaign to attract more potential voters.
"If we extend the registration period, it means we cannot hold the election on 27 November. There was also no direct call even from the political parties that we extend the registration period. After the registration period, we publish the provisional voters’ roll and the law is very clear that 90 days from the day you have published the preliminary voters registration, you must have the election.
"So, it is out of the question - we are not going to have an extension," she said.
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ECN has earmarked N$269 million towards facilitating this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections in November, but commissioners deem this inadequate. Of a targeted 1.6 million eligible voters in the country, 1.18 million have registered so far, the commission told the head of state during a visit to State House.
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua told the media on the sidelines of the visit that their target was initially to register 1.7 million voters, but this has been revised to 1.6 million following the release of the preliminary population census results in March.
“The 1.7 million includes everyone that is 18 and above and not necessarily only the Namibians. So, we asked them [the Namibia Statistics Agency] to give us the correct statistics so we can start working on the process. In terms of our statistics, it really makes a difference.
“Our projections for the remaining days is that we are standing at 63% [registration of eligible voters], and we are projecting that there is a possibility of reaching 85% of that number," she said.
N$60m shortfall
She explained that given the change in numbers, there are new and unforeseen expenses they will have to cater for.
"There is normally a budget review process with the ministry of finance, and I think it will take place in August. It was a sufficient [budget]. The [census] statistics were released after we had already procured some of the registration kits and, with the new figure, we needed to take additional kits. It means there is a shortfall, but we will present our case to the ministry.
“The shortfall could be in the range of N$60 million, but that might not be the final figure. There were many unforeseen expenses, more teams and having to source more vehicles from private owners," she explained.
According to her, the cars they plan to procure will be 10 at most and will be for daily use at the commission. She pleaded with government ministries and agencies to release their vehicles so the ECN relies less on private owners.
"During the election period, we need a lot more vehicles. It might be 900 or over a 1 000 and certainly those cannot be purchased in one financial year. At the moment, we only have 110 vehicles in our fleet; some at headquarters and some at our offices. But probably only about 60% are in a workable condition. That is why we approached the ministry to procure additional vehicles,” Nghikembua said.
No extension
She also stressed that there is no need for an extension of the registration process, but said, instead, they are looking at beefing up their campaign to attract more potential voters.
"If we extend the registration period, it means we cannot hold the election on 27 November. There was also no direct call even from the political parties that we extend the registration period. After the registration period, we publish the provisional voters’ roll and the law is very clear that 90 days from the day you have published the preliminary voters registration, you must have the election.
"So, it is out of the question - we are not going to have an extension," she said.
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