LPM takes on ECN over ‘exclusion’ of inmates
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) yesterday described the electoral body’s alleged intentional exclusion of incarcerated Namibians from the voter registration process as dehumanising and discriminatory.
This is according to a statement issued by LPM’s national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa, who said the political party has been made aware that the electoral body is failing in its mandate to register eligible Namibians who are incarcerated.
Simataa argued that, with mere days before the deadline to acquire a voter card, incarcerated Namibians who have not been given the opportunity to register to vote will not be able to exercise their constitutional right in November.
“There is an expression that ECN is actively excluding Namibians who are incarcerated,” he said.
“Considering [that this is happening] this year - when the voters’ register needs to be updated and voter cards created prior to this year’s registration period will be considered null and void, it is discrimination of this demographic, for they will not be able to participate in this election.
“Every eligible Namibian should have the opportunity to participate in their democratic right. It is the ECN’s mandate to ensure that all Namibians are awarded the ability to register to vote,” he added.
“This unfair and intentional exclusion of inmates is robbing these Namibians of their democratic rights, further dehumanising and excluding them from society. As a government, we must ensure that we do not harm the human rights of any Namibian. Inmates are unable to leave correctional institutions to go and vote, therefore it is pivotal for ECN to be the institution that provides them with the means to register.”
'Lacklustre performance'
Simataa has thus encouraged ECN to react to the party’s concerns and ensure eligible incarcerated Namibians are offered the opportunity to register to vote.
“The lacklustre performance of the ECN continues to be a concern as very little is being done in the wake of voter education, registration requirements and now the active exclusion of inmates, with only less than two weeks of registration left and no extension in sight. We need ECN to immediately act upon its mandate and employ various interventions to best mitigate the situation,” the spokesperson said.
Teams dispatched
When contacted for comment, ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said the electoral body has dispatched teams to various correctional facilities to do an assessment.
He added that when the registration process initially started, mobile teams were deployed to correctional facilities, but had to leave due to limited resources.
“Our teams were at all the correctional facilities and they did register those who wished to vote. However, we have taken into consideration the observation by LPM and as we speak, our teams have been deployed to go and look into the matter.”
Namibia remains one of the few countries in the world which allows those incarcerated to take part in national elections.
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This is according to a statement issued by LPM’s national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa, who said the political party has been made aware that the electoral body is failing in its mandate to register eligible Namibians who are incarcerated.
Simataa argued that, with mere days before the deadline to acquire a voter card, incarcerated Namibians who have not been given the opportunity to register to vote will not be able to exercise their constitutional right in November.
“There is an expression that ECN is actively excluding Namibians who are incarcerated,” he said.
“Considering [that this is happening] this year - when the voters’ register needs to be updated and voter cards created prior to this year’s registration period will be considered null and void, it is discrimination of this demographic, for they will not be able to participate in this election.
“Every eligible Namibian should have the opportunity to participate in their democratic right. It is the ECN’s mandate to ensure that all Namibians are awarded the ability to register to vote,” he added.
“This unfair and intentional exclusion of inmates is robbing these Namibians of their democratic rights, further dehumanising and excluding them from society. As a government, we must ensure that we do not harm the human rights of any Namibian. Inmates are unable to leave correctional institutions to go and vote, therefore it is pivotal for ECN to be the institution that provides them with the means to register.”
'Lacklustre performance'
Simataa has thus encouraged ECN to react to the party’s concerns and ensure eligible incarcerated Namibians are offered the opportunity to register to vote.
“The lacklustre performance of the ECN continues to be a concern as very little is being done in the wake of voter education, registration requirements and now the active exclusion of inmates, with only less than two weeks of registration left and no extension in sight. We need ECN to immediately act upon its mandate and employ various interventions to best mitigate the situation,” the spokesperson said.
Teams dispatched
When contacted for comment, ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said the electoral body has dispatched teams to various correctional facilities to do an assessment.
He added that when the registration process initially started, mobile teams were deployed to correctional facilities, but had to leave due to limited resources.
“Our teams were at all the correctional facilities and they did register those who wished to vote. However, we have taken into consideration the observation by LPM and as we speak, our teams have been deployed to go and look into the matter.”
Namibia remains one of the few countries in the world which allows those incarcerated to take part in national elections.
[email protected]
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