Boozing, travelling sees voting plunge

Representatives from various political parties in Walvis Bay have expressed their disappointment with the low voter turnout in this past Friday’s regional and local authority elections, which saw many choosing to travel and party, rather than vote. Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Elections Coordinator for Erongo, Kashindinge Kapembe, said he would only be in a position to provide actual figures on the number of people who voted in Walvis Bay today, but confirmed that more than 20 000 voters had registered. With the voting process concluded and the verification of some results still outstanding, some political parties hinted that it may have been a mistake by President Hage Geingob to proclaim voting day a national holiday. Many turned election day into the start of a long weekend, opting to travel and visit relatives all over the country. Some simply abused the day and indulged in drinking and partying. “The turnout of voters was problematic. The actual voting process went smoothly and we did not have many problems with the electronic voting machines (EVMs) this time. Minor technical issues were quickly resolved. The electoral commission managed to make the process much faster than experienced previously. Voter education might not have been effective enough, since the demarcation of areas were not clearly understood by some voters,” said Jonathan Cordom, who is the ECN’s Assistant Elections Coordinator for Arandis, Henties Bay, Swakopmund and the Walvis Bay Urban and Rural constituencies. Many concurred that the election process was peaceful, free and fairly contested, and welcomed the addition of more polling stations that contributed to less crowding. The process started and finished on time. Problems relating to a few voter verification devices (VVDs) were initially experienced in Walvis Bay. The faulty machines were replaced and the process went ahead smoothly. Voters were able to cast their votes in less than six minutes in some instances. Some called for improved and more intensive voter education to be conducted in advance and at regular intervals, after some voters were confused about where they should cast their votes for urban and rural constituencies and arrived at the wrong polling stations. Most presiding officers commended voters, saying that 90% of them had a clear understanding of the electronic voting process, and what was required of them. The absence of party representatives at some polling stations was also noted On the streets, the overwhelming sentiment expressed by some, who opted not to vote, was that local councillors are not doing enough for their communities and are only in politics for personal gain, and thus do not deserve votes. “They thrive on promises during campaigning time and tend to forget the communities they represent, the moment they take up positions,” remarked one person, who chose not to vote. Those who did vote said they did so to effect change and to have a say in the day-to-day running of the towns where they live. OTIS FINCK