WORRIED: ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama. PHOTO: ECN
WORRIED: ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama. PHOTO: ECN

Voter registrations surpass 1 million mark

MATHIAS HAUFIKU
With just over a week to go before the general registration of voters' period ends, the number of registered voters has surpassed the 1 million mark, with the latest statistics released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) indicating that as of 20 July there were 1 153 916 registered voters.

To surpass the 2019 voter registration total of 1 358 468, ECN has to register another 204 553 people. The total number of eligible voters this year, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency, stands at 1 615 910.

Eligible voters in the populous regions of Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshana have been the most responsive, with statistics from the country’s electoral body indicating that 80% of eligible voters in those regions have already registered to vote during the November polls.

Out of 149 897 eligible voters, 119 317 have already registered in Ohangwena. In Oshana, 104 561 of 130 718 eligible voters have registered so far. In Omusati, 118 993 out of 149 446 people have registered.

The lowest registration numbers were recorded in the Hardap, Zambezi and Omaheke regions.

Khomas, which boasts the largest number of eligible voters amongst all regions, has registered 209 020 of its 315 957 eligible voters.

Last chance

The ECN urged all eligible voters to register, underlining that there will be no extensions.

“There will be no extension of the voter registration period, and there will be no supplementary registration of voters in 2024 due to limitations within which the commission is required to finalise the provisional voter register for display, inspection and objection, [based on the] ruling by the Electoral Tribunal and Electoral Court. The commission is urging eligible voters to register in constituencies where they live,” ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said.

Shaama said the registration numbers are of great concern for the commission.

“While acknowledging with appreciation all eligible Namibian citizens who have registered as voters since the first day of registration to date, the commission has noted with great concern a considerable decline in the turnout during the third, fourth and fifth weeks (17–22 June, 24-29 June and 1-6 July) of the GRV," he said.

"It is our sincere prayer that the turnout will continue picking up,” a hopeful Shaama said.

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-24

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