Maria David
AS the nation gears up for the Presidential and National Elections, attention turns to two critical aspects of the democratic process: the role of the Security Cluster and the facilitation of voting for seagoing personnel.
The Security Cluster and seagoing personnel have made it their mission to exercise their democratic right by ensuring their votes are counted in this special election.
The voting process began at 07:00 on Wednesday and will run until 21:00.
Oshana Regional Electoral Officer Amon-Oiva Haimbangu said they expect roughly 4,000 voters from the Security Cluster and seagoing personnel.
According to Haimbangu, those eligible to vote should ensure they have proper documentation proving their employment within the Security Cluster.
“We have a list from the Police, Namibian Defence Force, and Namibia Correctional Service, as well as those who are seagoing,” he said.
He added that a few seagoing personnel have already shown up to vote, and they have received confirmation from employers that these individuals are seagoing and will be on duty on 27 November 2024.
Haimbangu emphasized the eagerness of people wanting to vote, noting that there was already a long queue when they started.
In the Oshana Region, polling stations have been set up at the Oshakati Police Station in Oshakati East and the Ondangwa Urban Oluno Community Hall.
Meanwhile, Jessy Auala, presiding officer for the Oshakati West constituency, said those eligible in the region have turned out in large numbers to cast their votes during the special voting process at the Oshakati Police Station.
Auala said that the first vote at the polling station was cast at 05:30.
