Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has reaffirmed that only original identification documents are acceptable for voter registration.
This announcement follows an incident earlier this month where an individual attempted to register using a laminated copy of an identity document belonging to a Wagner Siegfried at the Lions Old Age Home registration point in Swakopmund.
A video circulating on social media shows an official stating that fake identification documents were used at the time.
“We have experienced a fake identity document. I have told my team to remove the laminated identity documents from the lamination. And soon after we received this fake identity document. What they did is, they only laminated a hard paper and put the hard card in the middle to make it appear strong, but it is not an identity document. If you can just warn all the teams that laminated identity documents should be removed,” explained the ECN official.
ECN chief electoral and referenda officer, Peter Shaama, confirmed the incident.
“The incident was detected by our officials at the Lions Old Age Home registration point in Swakopmund Constituency on Friday, June 14 June 2024. Equally, the Commission commends our registration officials for demonstrating vigilance and swift action in handling this incident effectively,” he stated.
Shaama explained that during the verification process, ECN officials confirmed that the applicant presented a laminated copy of their ID.
“The officials then informed the applicant that only original documents are accepted for registration. Law enforcement officers confiscated the laminated copy, and the applicant left the registration point without being registered. The applicant left the registration point unregistered upon explanation by the registration officials,” Shaama added.
However, Shaama clarified that the next day, the applicant returned with the original ID. ECN officials verified it against the confiscated laminated copy and allowed the applicant to register using the original document.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public at large and its stakeholders that this was an isolated incident which was handled swiftly and effectively by registration officials at the aforesaid registration point,” Shaama emphasised.
Shaama reiterated the importance of presenting only original documents at registration points.
“The Commission therefore strongly urges all eligible voters to present only original documents at registration points as required by the law,” he stated.
