Slow uptake of overseas voter registration
'Your vote counts'
A lack of original national documents and distances from registration points are some of the hurdles facing Namibians in the diaspora when it comes to voter registration.
Only 424 Namibians living abroad have so far registered at the country’s diplomatic missions around the world during the first week of the general registration of voters, official statistics from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) indicate.
“During the first week of the general registration of voters from 3 to 8 June, the commission registered a total number of 187 171 eligible Namibians inside the country and at all Namibian diplomatic missions abroad. This figure represents an average of 31 195 registered voters per day over a period of six days," a statement by the ECN reads.
Namibia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Linda Scott, said “the turnout of Namibians at the UK mission has been steady and the registration process is quite fast."
She added that the registration process has been going smoothly, with very few challenges.
“The majority of Namibians are expected closer to the end of the registration period. The various Namibians who come to the mission for other reasons, such as applying for ID or passport duplicates, are encouraged to register while they wait,” she said.
Scott added that many are choosing to travel to Namibia to register due to the fact that they cannot register for local authority elections at foreign missions.
Other factors that can affect Namibians registering at the High Commission in London include requirements such as the fact that only original documents are allowed for identification purposes, Scott explained.
Every vote counts
Scott was also asked to comment on concerns raised about the distance some people have to travel in order to register at diplomatic missions.
“The ECN has gone to great lengths with limited resources to ensure Namibians in the diaspora have the opportunity to register for elections and vote.
“Let me emphasise that there is no bigger civil duty than participating in your country’s electoral process and casting your ballot. Elections are an important exercise and an essential element in the democratic process. I call on all Namibians to ensure that their voice is heard through their vote. Your vote counts!” she said.
She praised the ECN “for an excellent job in training the Namibian mission’s staff to deal with all the complexities that arise in registering Namibians for the upcoming 2024 November general elections.”
The registration period is from 3 June to 1 August, Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 19:00, "which allows for ample opportunity for people who need to travel long distances to make a trip to the High Commission in London," she said.
“During the first week of the general registration of voters from 3 to 8 June, the commission registered a total number of 187 171 eligible Namibians inside the country and at all Namibian diplomatic missions abroad. This figure represents an average of 31 195 registered voters per day over a period of six days," a statement by the ECN reads.
Namibia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Linda Scott, said “the turnout of Namibians at the UK mission has been steady and the registration process is quite fast."
She added that the registration process has been going smoothly, with very few challenges.
“The majority of Namibians are expected closer to the end of the registration period. The various Namibians who come to the mission for other reasons, such as applying for ID or passport duplicates, are encouraged to register while they wait,” she said.
Scott added that many are choosing to travel to Namibia to register due to the fact that they cannot register for local authority elections at foreign missions.
Other factors that can affect Namibians registering at the High Commission in London include requirements such as the fact that only original documents are allowed for identification purposes, Scott explained.
Every vote counts
Scott was also asked to comment on concerns raised about the distance some people have to travel in order to register at diplomatic missions.
“The ECN has gone to great lengths with limited resources to ensure Namibians in the diaspora have the opportunity to register for elections and vote.
“Let me emphasise that there is no bigger civil duty than participating in your country’s electoral process and casting your ballot. Elections are an important exercise and an essential element in the democratic process. I call on all Namibians to ensure that their voice is heard through their vote. Your vote counts!” she said.
She praised the ECN “for an excellent job in training the Namibian mission’s staff to deal with all the complexities that arise in registering Namibians for the upcoming 2024 November general elections.”
The registration period is from 3 June to 1 August, Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 19:00, "which allows for ample opportunity for people who need to travel long distances to make a trip to the High Commission in London," she said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article