EDITORIAL: Special vote result announcement a major risk

There have been concerns raised during past elections over the manner in which the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) handles the results of the early voting, one which is mainly reserved for members of the security cluster.

Security analysts have constantly warned that the standing practice of results from the special vote being made public poses a security risk to the country, while others believe that it also disenfranchises the military because their votes are essentially not a secret, in the bigger scheme of things.

It has always been suggested that the results from the special votes, including displaying results at the polling stations, should rather be kept under wraps and released only with the results from the main election.

However, ECN has contended that the law in its current format compels it to display the special vote results at the different stations. But just because it is law does not make it right.

We have also heard concerns raised among members of the military that the current system could lead to army personnel being victimised.

This is perhaps an issue that lawmakers should look at and consider reviewing to ensure that no one is disenfranchised over their choice of president and political party.