Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Political parties observing the printing of ballot papers for the November 2024 elections in Johannesburg have raised concerns over the transparency of the process.
Imms Nashinge of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) expressed dissatisfaction, citing a lack of communication and briefing from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
According to Nashinge, the samples of the ballots were not yet approved, and the team didn’t get clarification on the logistical arrangements.
“We are not satisfied with how they dealt with the whole process. There was no proper communication or briefing as to what was going to happen before we went to the printing company,” he said.
Daniel Tsaneb, Secretary General of the United Democratic Front (UDF), also highlighted delays and communication issues on the ground in South Africa.
He said upon arrival in South Africa, the delegation waited until midday to get full explanations from those in charge of printing, particularly ECN.
“Among the concerns is the lack of effective information distribution and unclear logistical setups,” Tsaneb said.
He added that while they started the process by signing off proof samples of the ballot papers with corrections, the delegation was still worried about transparency.
Ivan Skrywer of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) expressed major concerns about the company handling the printing, referencing its involvement in previous controversial elections.
“We clearly still have major trust issues. The company has only responded to concerns when asked, including its involvement in the Zimbabwe elections,” Skrywer said.
He questioned the transparency of the selection process.
“We are questioning their integrity. Why haven’t they made the statements they are telling us now? They should have expressed their regret around the purchase of ballots by Zimbabweans,” said Skrywer.
Skrywer also questioned the company’s selection for the contract and asked for more details about whether other companies participated in the initial bidding process prior to its cancellation.
“There must be a better understanding of the process. It’s not just about a company having conducted elections before—this is about printing ballot papers, not ECN flyers,” he added.
On the growing concerns, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah noted that the controversy around the selection of the printing company has already raised alarms.
“The hand-picking of this company has generated controversy from stakeholders and the public, who are concerned about the process. The company has a questionable reputation, having been involved in dubious deals before. If what the delegation in South Africa is saying is true, it adds to the controversy, and the credibility of the elections could be questioned,” Kamwanyah said.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), United People’s Movement (UPM), and the Christian Democratic Voice Party opted out of the observation delegation due to their own concerns.
The delegation is expected to return to Namibia by 29 October 2024.
