Placido Hilukilwa
WITH only a week remaining before the first round of voting in the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections on the 13th of November, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is a hub of activity.
Final preparations include training key personnel, such as Returning Officers, IT Officials, Verifiers, and Auditors, who are currently receiving instruction on election results transmission at NIPAM in Windhoek.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, ECN’s Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Peter Shaama, emphasized that elections are the foundation of democracy, marking the time when Namibian citizens exercise their most fundamental right—the right to vote.
“Each election presents an opportunity for our people to express their aspirations for the future through the leaders of their choice. As the team entrusted with this national responsibility, you hold an essential role in this democratic process,” he told the officials in training, describing them as the guardians of the integrity and transparency of the electoral system at the grassroots level. “The importance of your training cannot be overstated,” he said, adding that electoral integrity is a shared responsibility, and the accuracy of the election results directly impacts citizens’ faith in the electoral processes. “This is why,” he continued, “the training we embark on today is so important in helping you to execute your duties diligently. You will learn not just about the technical aspects of results management and transmission, but also about the ethical considerations and the commitment to transparency that we must uphold at all times.”
He highlighted the importance of equipping Returning Officers, IT Officials, Verifiers, and Auditors with the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills, as they will be at the forefront of managing results transmission.
“Your roles are not only pivotal during the election period but are also crucial in fostering public trust in our democratic processes,” said Shaama.
He said that while technology offers significant advantages, it also presents challenges. “Voters today expect immediate communication that accurately reflects their choices. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure that every vote is counted and that the results are communicated in a way that leaves no room for doubt or misinterpretation,” he said.
The training covers several key areas, including the verification and collation of election results, the management of challenges, communication with stakeholders, and more.