Parties say special elections will have no impact on main elections
Special elections slated for 13 November
While the majority of political parties said the results of the special elections will not influence or reflect voter trends for the upcoming 27 November elections, NEFF's Longinus Iipumbu suggested that the results could potentially provide an indication of voter sentiment.
A majority of leaders and political party officials are of the view that the outcome of tomorrow’s special voting will not have a major impact on how the electorate will vote on 27 November.
Members of the security cluster, sea-going personnel and registered voters in the diaspora will cast their ballots on 13 November for the presidential and national assembly elections.
The results are set to be made public once voting has closed at 21:00 and counting has concluded.
Not a true reflection
When contacted for comment, political party representatives said the results are unlikely to have a meaningful impact on the voting trends of registered voters on 27 November.
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge said: “It's your entry ports, foreign missions, plus your few army bases. So you can't really say what is going to happen on Wednesday is similar to a true representation of the general elections in terms of demographics, in terms of even numbers.”
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said those participating in the special voting exercise may vote out of fear, adding that the results will not accurately reflect what will happen on 27 November.
“No, not really, as the voters are a special category and might vote out of fear,” he said.
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo also expressed that the outcome of the special voting will not influence the 27 November elections.
“We have seen in 2019 what happened. The results of the special voting gave a certain impression, but when the main election results were announced, things changed. I don't foresee any risk or any influence it may have on the main election at all,” he said.
Signal trends
Meanwhile, Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters' (NEFF) second in command, Longinus Iipumbu, said he believes that while the special voting may not impact on the 27 November elections, it could potentially provide a clear indication of voter sentiment.
“The special voting results can indeed provide an early indication of voter sentiment and may impact the momentum leading up to the main elections on 27 November,” he said.
“If a particular party or candidate performs exceptionally well or poorly in the special vote, it could influence undecided voters or shape the public narrative around the election," he added.
“However, it’s important to remember that the special voting demographic can differ from the general voting population, so while it can signal trends, it may not fully reflect the final election outcome."
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has confirmed that there will be 33 special voting polling stations across the country, while all registered voters in the diaspora will cast their votes at Namibia's 35 diplomatic missions abroad.
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Members of the security cluster, sea-going personnel and registered voters in the diaspora will cast their ballots on 13 November for the presidential and national assembly elections.
The results are set to be made public once voting has closed at 21:00 and counting has concluded.
Not a true reflection
When contacted for comment, political party representatives said the results are unlikely to have a meaningful impact on the voting trends of registered voters on 27 November.
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge said: “It's your entry ports, foreign missions, plus your few army bases. So you can't really say what is going to happen on Wednesday is similar to a true representation of the general elections in terms of demographics, in terms of even numbers.”
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said those participating in the special voting exercise may vote out of fear, adding that the results will not accurately reflect what will happen on 27 November.
“No, not really, as the voters are a special category and might vote out of fear,” he said.
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo also expressed that the outcome of the special voting will not influence the 27 November elections.
“We have seen in 2019 what happened. The results of the special voting gave a certain impression, but when the main election results were announced, things changed. I don't foresee any risk or any influence it may have on the main election at all,” he said.
Signal trends
Meanwhile, Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters' (NEFF) second in command, Longinus Iipumbu, said he believes that while the special voting may not impact on the 27 November elections, it could potentially provide a clear indication of voter sentiment.
“The special voting results can indeed provide an early indication of voter sentiment and may impact the momentum leading up to the main elections on 27 November,” he said.
“If a particular party or candidate performs exceptionally well or poorly in the special vote, it could influence undecided voters or shape the public narrative around the election," he added.
“However, it’s important to remember that the special voting demographic can differ from the general voting population, so while it can signal trends, it may not fully reflect the final election outcome."
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has confirmed that there will be 33 special voting polling stations across the country, while all registered voters in the diaspora will cast their votes at Namibia's 35 diplomatic missions abroad.
[email protected]
#NamibiaDecides2024
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