ICT specialists Ruusa Shindondola and Saara Shililifa.  Photo ECN
ICT specialists Ruusa Shindondola and Saara Shililifa. Photo ECN

ECN to conduct mock voter registration exercise

Frieda Molotho
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced a mock voters' registration exercise for 15 to 17 November to assess the functionality and usability of the Integrated Mobile Voter Registration System (IMVRS).

The mock registration exercise is aimed at ensuring the IMVRS operates seamlessly ahead of the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections.

The mock registration process will span three days and be conducted in different parts of the country.

To participate, individuals must be Namibian citizens aged 18 and above, presenting valid identification documents. For local authority elections, proof of residency is required, including municipal or telephone bills, lease agreements or statements under oath.

Secure process

During the mock registration, voter registration cards will be distinctly marked "mock" and will not be issued to potential applicants.

The cards will be returned to the ECN headquarters and securely destroyed. Following the exercise, political parties, organisations and associations will be kept informed of any technical challenges or glitches, ensuring transparency in the system's performance evaluation.

The decision to conduct a mock voter registration exercise follows a comprehensive electoral review process initiated after the 2019 and 2020 presidential and national assembly elections and regional council and local authority elections.

Instil confidence

The review called for the enhancement and upgrade of the mobile voter registration system (MVRS) into the more sophisticated IMVRS. Leveraging mobile technology, the enhanced system is designed to be responsive and efficient, addressing the need for modernisation in electoral procedures.

The newly integrated system encompasses voter registration, identification and verification, registration of political parties and organisations/associations, as well as modules for nominations and election results management. This holistic approach seeks to streamline and modernise Namibia's electoral processes, marking a significant step towards efficiency.

IMVRS incorporates advanced security and verification measures to safeguard the integrity of the voter registration process. By minimising the risk of false registrations, the ECN aims to instill overall confidence in Namibia's electoral system.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-16

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