Lahja Nashuuta

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Elsie Nghikembua has confirmed that manual ballot papers will be used in the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for November, as well as the Regional and Local Authority Council elections to be held next year.Nghikembua made the remarks during the launch of the ECN’s 2024 Electoral Calendar, Democracy Awareness Campaign, and Service Charter yesterday in the capital.

The decision to make use of manual ballot papers as opposed to the controversial Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling in February 2020.

The Supreme Court indicated that should the ECN want to make use of EVMs, they must ensure that these are combined with a verifiable paper trail. 

The court made the order as a result of 2019 presidential election candidates Panduleni Itula,

 Henk Mudge, Epafras Mukwiilongo, Ignatius Shixwameni and Mike Kavekotora suing the ECN and questioning the legality of using EVMs without a paper trail that can verify every vote cast on the devices.

Nghikembua said this year’s election will be preceded by the General Registration of Voters (GRV), which is expected to run from 3 June to 1 August. 

During this period, all eligible Namibian voters will be expected to register afresh to cast their votes in the forthcoming elections.

The ECN also indicated that they will dispatch registration material both locally and internationally from 1 May for voters to get their voters’ cards.

Nghikembua announced that Namibia will hold Presidential and parliamentary elections on 27 November.

Peter Shaama, Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, said at the same event that the election calendar serves as a roadmap to assist the commission in planning and executing its election-related activities.

“The election calendar is categorised into three phases (Pillars), namely, Pre-Election Phase, Election Phase, and Post-Election Phase, which serve as a yardstick that the commission uses to measure the progress of the set electoral activities in the build-up to and post an election,” he
noted.

In terms of the Electoral Act, the commission is required to conduct the GRV every 10 years, and compile a new voters’ register. The last GRV was conducted in 2014 when the commission deployed a Biometric Voters Registration System for the first time.

Shaama indicated that this process will be followed by the nomination of independent candidates slated for 14 October, while political parties and organisations are expected to register on 16 October.

The election voting process is expected to commence on 13 November for sea-going personnel and members of the armed forces and those in the Diaspora.

Meanwhile, Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Utoni advised the commission to put emphasis on civic education in order to address the voter
apathy experienced in previous elections.

“Over the last few years, we have witnessed a worrisome trend, which may threaten our democracy if not addressed. The low turnout of voters during polling is a major concern, with only 60.8% of registered voters turning up to cast their votes during the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections,” he stated.

The minister indicated that civic and
voter education ensures the readiness, willingness and ability of voters to participate in electoral activities.  “It imparts basic voter information, which enables every voter to arrive well-prepared at the polling station and vote on voting day,” said Utoni.

In this regard, Shaama said the civic and voter education awareness strategy adopted by the ECN in the build-up to the 2024 GRV and national elections will form the basis for delivering the democracy awareness campaign, under the theme “Enhancing Electoral Democracy through Electoral Processes”. 

Commentators

The ECN’s decision to revert to the ballot papers has been hailed by some political parties and political analysts, stating that the move is in the right direction to ensure credible, free and fair elections.

“This is a result of the court ruling in early 2020, which said that If EVMs are used, there must be a verifiable paper trail. Since we don’t have those types of EVMs, we are bound to go back to ballot papers. The local and regional elections in 2020 already reverted to ballot papers,” said Graham Hopwood, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy Research.

He noted that the main problem with the ballot papers is that it takes a while to count the votes and verify the results.

Hopwood, therefore, urged the ECN to find ways in which they can speed up the counting and verification process.

“This is a welcome development that we have cried about and lobbied for many years, that we do away with this EVM machines without a verifiable paper trail. It is refreshing to see that the ECN has heeded the call from the courts to do away with the EVMs. It is long-overdue,” said Joseph Kauandenge, NUDO’s secretary general.

Political analyst Wade Henckert said the ECN’s decision should be seen as a step towards enhancing transparency, inclusivity and public trust in the electoral process, ultimately contributing to the consolidation of democracy in the country.

He argued that the use of ballot papers may enhance transparency and public trust in the electoral process. Ballot papers allow for a physical record of votes cast, which can be observed and verified by election observers, political parties and voters themselves. 

“This transparency can help mitigate concerns about the integrity and security of electronic voting systems.

While EVMs were intended to streamline the voting process and improve accessibility for voters, concerns have been raised about their usability, particularly for elderly and illiterate voters. The use of ballot papers may ensure greater inclusivity by providing a familiar voting method that accommodates diverse needs and preferences,” Henckert reasoned.

He added that the transition from EVMs to ballot papers may also have legal and constitutional implications. It is essential to ensure that electoral laws and procedures are updated to accommodate the use of ballot papers and that constitutional rights, such as the right to vote and the right to a free and fair election, are upheld.

“Ultimately, the success of any electoral system depends on the public’s perception of its fairness, transparency and effectiveness. The ECN’s decision to adopt ballot papers may reflect a response to public concerns and preferences regarding the electoral process. By prioritising public confidence,
the commission aims to strengthen the legitimacy of elections and uphold
democratic principles in Namibia,” he observed.

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