Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Electoral Commission of Namibia’s chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said even though the number of registered voters keeps increasing week by week, the low turnout is still concerning.
Shaama was speaking during a media briefing at the weekly update of registered voters last week.
He said that while ECN appreciates those who have registered as voters since the first day of registration, the commission has noted with great concern a considerable decline in turnout during the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of the General Registration of Voters (GRV) between 17 June and 6 July.
“The Commission, however, noted that the turnout has picked up in the sixth week (8-13 July 2024) with 165 524 eligible voters registered, and it is our sincere prayer that the turnout will continue picking up. Although this figure shows a slight improvement, this remains a great concern not only to the Commission but to all our stakeholders,” said Shaama.
He said releasing preliminary statistics on a weekly basis is part of ECN’s efforts to enhance transparency and information sharing.
The commission has been urging all eligible citizens who have not yet registered to do so as soon as possible, as there is no window opportunity for extending the period of voter registration.
“The Commission wishes to update its stakeholders and members of the public that on 03 June – 13 July 2024, a cumulative total of 989 367 eligible Namibians have registered as voters inside the country and at all Namibian Diplomatic Missions abroad. This figure represents an average of 27,601 registered voters per day during 08 – 13 July 2024. The total turnout of registered voters as of 13 July 2024 represents 61.2% of eligible voters,” he confirmed.
Shaama again cautioned that there will be no extension of the voter registration period and no supplementary registration of voters (SRV) in 2024.
This he said is due to limitations within which the commission is required to finalise the provisional voter register for display, inspection, and objection, as ruled by the Electoral Tribunal and Electoral Court.
“The commission extends its deepest gratitude to the relevant stakeholders, inclusive of political parties, civil society organisations, churches, and community leaders, who have demonstrated unwavering support and collaboration with the ECN since the commencement of the GRV,” he said.
