Maria David
RECOGNIZING the essential role of seafarers, soldiers, and police officers, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will implement special voting arrangements for these individuals.
This was confirmed by the Regional Electoral Officer of Ohangwena Region, Henock Hanga, during a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday. He said that the special voting day will be held on 13 November 2024.
Hanga indicated that these arrangements shall be implemented as per the provisions of the Electoral Act No. 5 of 2014, Section 64, subsection 2, read together with subsections 3, 4, and 5.
“In our region, as we know, we do not have a harbour or a military base. Therefore, this provision will only apply to Namibian Police officers who will be tasked with maintaining law and order during the elections, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all voters,” he said.
He added that, for this purpose, they have designated one polling venue in the region specifically to facilitate their participation.
Hanga also said that to ensure the success of the special voting initiative, they will conduct specialized training for officials involved in the process. This training will take place in Eenhana.
He emphasized that this training will equip officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to execute their duties effectively and uphold the integrity of the voting process.
Following the special voting, Hanga said that they will conduct mass training for all election officials who will be on duty on 27 November. This extensive training will take place across six venues from 15 to 24 November 2024.
Hanga highlighted their commitment to ensuring that all counting and party agents are well-prepared. Training sessions will be held at the constituency level to thoroughly prepare them for the counting process.
He added that this initiative aims to ensure transparency and build confidence in the electoral outcomes.
Photo: ECN
