THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has provided an update on the 27 November 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections, outlining both successes and challenges encountered during the polling process. In a statement issued earlier this evening, the Commission detailed measures to address emerging issues, including shortages of ballot papers and logistical disruptions, while emphasizing its commitment to upholding voters’ rights. The ECN has recommended extending voting at select polling stations on 29 and 30 November 2024 to ensure every registered Namibian has the opportunity to vote.
Full statement:
Good evening
As you know the nation went to the polls yesterday, 27 November 2024, to elect the President and members of the National Assembly. The Commission would like to update the nation on the conduct of the polling process and ensuing processes of vote counting, collating and transmission.
This is the second update to the public since polling started. The Commission was busy gathering all relevant information and updates to enable us to provide the public with a comprehensive brief. Moreover, we also needed to meet, as Commission, and consult where possible, to find solutions to some of the challenges faced in the process.
Gratitude for Peaceful Voting
Allow me to begin by sincerely thanking all Namibians for the peaceful manner in which voting was conducted. From the early hours of the morning until the close of polling, voters patiently queued, respecting each other and the processes put in place by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
Your conduct this far, reflects the spirit of democracy that is enshrined in our Constitution. It is a spirit that binds us together as a people, regardless of our political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, or geographic locations.
Opening of polling and turnout Polling kicked off on a good note. At 07:00 am all polling stations across the country opened, with the exception of a few that delayed because of slight challenges such as finalising setting up a few minutes after opening time. We also had two teams in the Karasburg East Constituency where it was reported that private vehicle owners withdrew their vehicles at the last minute. However, this situation was resolved and the teams proceeded to commence with voting process.
Although we have not compiled the final statistics on voter turnout, from the reports and observation of the queues we had at polling stations, it is apparent that there was satisfactory turnout and a remarkable high level of participation.
Emerging Issues During The Polling Day While polling was in progress, there were issues that emerged and the Commission engaged itself to resolve them to ensure that every Namibian who registered was given the opportunity to vote. Some of the issues that arose included the following:
1. Heating of tablets: In some polling stations, especially where tents were set, we experienced that the tablets used for verification of voters were heating up because of high temperatures or exposure to the sun. Polling was temporarily interrupted for some minutes because polling staff had to switch off the tablet to allow cooling off and resume immediately after.
2. Ultraviolet light torch running out of battery: In some polling stations, the batteries for the ultraviolet light torches, used for verification of voters for invisible ink, were draining faster than anticipated. We moved fast to source extra batteries and supplied to the polling stations so that polling proceeds uninterrupted.
3. Staying longer in the queues: The Commission has observed and noted media reports regarding some voters complaining of slow movement of the queues. I should state here that the Commission engineered the process to ensure that people do not stay longer in the queues, however, so many factors could delay the process including human factor.
4. Voter left behind by mobile polling teams: The Commission got media reports that some voters were left behind by mobile teams despite being in the queue in good time. In some instances, we directed the teams to go back to the polling stations in question to make sure they cover such voters. The Commission attended to every incident and also encouraged voters who were still in the queue to remain put until they were attended to as required by law.
5. Running low on ballot papers: It was reported that some polling stations ran out of ballot papers. Electoral operating procedures allow for polling stations to transfer ballot papers from other stations in instances where they run out. However, this process is supposed to follow administrative and logistical protocols to ensure accountability for every ballot paper.
The Commission has also learnt that at the close of polling stations, a number of regions were still having ballot paper books in their possession yet they had raised alarm that they may run out of ballot papers because of a higher turnout.
To facilitate the transfer of ballot papers, the Commission issued a directive instructing Regional Electoral Officers to ensure that polling stations should not close to allow smooth transfer of the unused ballot papers to polling stations where there was a demand.
The Commission engaged returning officers to facilitate transfer of the ballot papers to all polling stations that were reported to be running out of ballot papers. A total of 247 polling stations were restocked before they ran out of ballot papers. However, there were 29 polling stations which, either ran out of ballot papers and polling was interrupted and voting resumed after the ballot papers were availed, or mobile polling stations that could not be reached at the time of close of poll.
Counting and collation of results Polling stations that were not affected by the shortage of ballot papers were allowed to proceed with counting upon closing. In addition, the Commission has earlier this morning issued a directive to all Regional Electoral Officers to commence with the counting of votes.
The way forward “After having received the number of complaints from different political parties, and after having considered these complaints, the Commission hereby announces the following:
a. In line with the Commission’s obligation to provide every registered voter with a full opportunity to exercise his/her right to vote, and after having taken into consideration the complaints lodged, the Commission decided to recommend to the President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency, Dr Nangolo Mbumba to take the required steps to enable the continuation of the election in identified polling stations. On Friday, the 29th of November, 2024, and Saturday the 30th of November 2024 the fixed polling stations will open from 07h00 to 21h00 while for the mobile polling stations, they will open on the indicated times as follows (see graphic).
1. Epupa Constituency: 047
M0704706 Epupa Falls 07h00 – 21h00
M0704720 Oruhona 07h00 – 21h00
M0704723 Otjomuru Primary School 07h00 – 21h00
M0704730 Ogengua 07h00 – 11h00
Osia 12h00 – 15h00
Okauua 16h00 – 21h00
M0704737 Otjitanda Primary School 07h00 – 21h00
2. Opuwo Rural Constituency
F0705004 Kaoko-Otavi School 07h00 – 21h00
F0705006 Masaso Combined School 07h00 – 21h00
M0705019 Ozohaviria 07h00 – 11h00
Omuhiva Mobile School 12h00 – 15h00
Ondjete 16h00 – 21h00
M0705020 Okavare 07h00 – 14h00
Otuvero 15h00 – 21h00
M0705021 Omao 07h00 – 21h00
M0705022 Okozonguehe 07h00 – 21h00
M0705023 Otjiu-East 07h00 – 14h00
Erora 15h00 – 21h00
M0705029 Ongango 07h00 – 21h00
M0705031 Oruvandjei Kindergarten 07h00 – 21h00
3. Sesfontein Constituency
M0705323 Okoutjete 07h00 – 14h00
Okovasiona 15h00 – 21h00
Okatyali Constituency
F1108703 Onekandu Combined School 07h00 – 21h00
F1108704 Okasheshete Combined School 07h00 – 21h00
F1108705 Ashitenga Primary School 07h00 – 21h00
F1108706 Okutunduya Community Hall 07h00 – 21h00
F1108707 Okahekeke Kindergarten 07h00 – 21h00
M1108709 Negola 07h00 – 21h00
M1108711 Enkavu 07h00 – 21h00
4. Ondangwa Urban Constituency
F1109011 Danger Ashipala Soccer Field 07h00 – 21h00
5. Oshakati East Constituency Locations:
Okandjengedi Community Hall: 07:00 – 21:00
Onawa Kindergarten: 07:00 – 21:00
Ehenye Public Place: 07:00 – 21:00
Evululuko Secondary School: 07:00 – 21:00
6. Oshikoto Region:
M1209822 Ombuto Constituency Office 07h00 – 21h00
7. Khomas Region:
TransNamib Hall Windhoek West Constituency 07h00 – 21h00
The identified polling stations have been selected with reference to the facts available to the Commission, which indicate that voters may have been deprived of the right to vote and which deprivation may not be immaterial to the outcome of the election.
The Commission has taken all precautions to ensure that the remaining polling stations and all attending voters were given the full opportunity and the required time to exercise their right to vote.
The existing counting process will continue, and the results will be made known in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2014.
The results of the mentioned polling stations will be counted and dealt with separately as part of the electoral results. However, with respect to the mentioned polling stations, the final results will be calculated together with the results already made known.
The Commission has, in the meantime, done its best to establish the number of remaining ballot papers that will be distributed to the mentioned polling stations. The available information is as follows:
Katutura Central Constituency- Khomas Region — 53 ballot books = 5300 ballot papers for each election Moses //Garoeb Constituency- Khomas Region —70 ballot books = 7000 ballot papers for each election Rehoboth Urban East Constituency- Hardap Region — 46 ballot books = 4600 ballot papers for each election Oshakati East- Oshana Region- 56 ballot books = 5600 ballot papers for each election.
In closing, I should state that the Commission intended to provide this briefing after engaging with Political Parties through the usual platform of the Party Liaison Committee (PLC). However, as you might have witnessed, this meeting could not take place as the Commission was denied access by some political parties to the venue identified for this purpose. We nonetheless deemed it prudent to apprise the public of this important development. We remain committed and available to engage with the political parties as we manage this process.
We continue to appeal to the public to remain peaceful and calm. The Commission will be updating the public frequently to ensure that we are all abreast of the events as they unfold.
With these remarks I wish to thank you for coming to this briefing at short notice.
