OUT WITH THE OLD: ECN has proposed several amendments to the Electoral Act after the 2019/2020 elections. 
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
OUT WITH THE OLD: ECN has proposed several amendments to the Electoral Act after the 2019/2020 elections. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

ECN proposes electoral bill revisit

Hosts two-day workshop
The draft amendment bill was made public in early June and distributed to stakeholders later that month.
ELIZABETH JOSEPH
ELIZABETH JOSEPH

WINDHOEK

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) hosted a two-day workshop last week to discuss the draft electoral amendment bill.

ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua said the workshop comes after the 2019/2020 elections and subsequent by-elections.

“Following careful observations and evaluations of the 2019/2020 elections and by-elections, we found a common conclusion.

“We consulted with our stakeholders, and we all agreed that there is a need to amend the current Electoral Act,” she said.

The commission added that it is yet to discuss and take any stance on the submissions received.

Self-critical report

ECN drafted a lengthy document focusing on possible amendments based on previous election reports.

“We will analyse these reports and see what can be changed. ECN invites several stakeholders and political parties,” chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro said.

The commission said it is required to put together a post-election report, which is a self-critical one made to evaluate processes and give account on elections.

The draft amendment bill was made public in early June and distributed to stakeholders later that month.

“We then requested the submission of proposals on 18 August, and we are pleased to have received so many submissions,” he added.

Among the proposals, Mujoro suggested a 24-hour stop before every election process where campaigning comes to a complete halt.

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

No comments have been left on this article

Please login to leave a comment