Stefanus Nashama
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) is proposing that military personnel vote on the same day as the rest of the country to avoid victimisation.
The LPM, in a letter to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) dated 20 June and signed by the party’s representative, Ivan Skrywer, also requested that the military personnel vote at public polling stations.
“Our military personnel have on many occasions complained about the way they are expected to cast their votes. Given the nature of their service, the commission has over the years made efforts to place the voting stations uniquely at the military bases. The results would be announced thus, as emanating from specific military voting stations,” he said.
Skrywer claimed that if the current ruling party fails to gain majority votes at an army base, there will be intensified implementation of employment marginalisation and victimisation of military personnel.
He further said that the army personnel claim that obstructions to their right to freely exercise and participate in their universal franchise effectively prevent a free and unhindered electoral decision.
“They must balance the need to keep their jobs versus the need to vote favourably for the powers that be. This is a major constitutional and legal matter that the commission must act upon,” he stated.
Skrywer said voting for the party of choice could have career-threatening or career-ending consequences for junior and some senior military staff.
He added that army commanders can determine who they vote for based on the applied pressure.
“Elections being free and fair should not just be said but it should be seen to be done. Hence, the subject matter is of the highest importance in the arena of safeguarding our democracy. It should be given the attention it deserves,” he stressed.
He urged the Commission to investigate the matter urgently.
In the 2019 presidential and national assembly elections, the police and defence officials faced criticism and judgment based on the results after they voted.
A source from a northern military base disclosed that some of their bosses had threatened them, suggesting they intended to overthrow the government during that election.
“It is not only about threats, this matter comes with discrimination and politicisation of many things in the military,” said the source.
Police, defence, correctional officials, and some other careers vote earlier than the rest of the people due to the services they provide.
ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said he was not sure whether Shaama received the letter, however, he stated that the commission would respond by next week.
