Niël Terblanché
In preparation for the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will conduct a mock verification exercise (MVE) of the newly enhanced and upgraded Integrated Mobile Voter Registration System (IMVRS) on 30 and 31 August 2024.
According to Peter Shaama, the chief electoral and referenda officer, the exercise follows a comprehensive electoral review process aimed at improving the efficiency and security of the voting process, particularly in the wake of the 2019 and 2020 elections.
The IMVRS, which integrates voter registration, identification, and verification with the registration of political parties and the management of election results, represents a significant leap forward in the modernisation of Namibia’s electoral system.
Shaama said the MVE aims to test the real-time functionality and usability of the voter verification module, which is integral to the system’s success in the upcoming elections scheduled for 27 November 2024.
“Namibian citizens who registered during the recently concluded general registration of voters, held between 3 June and 1 August 2024, are invited to participate in this critical exercise,” he said.
Shaama added that participants must bring their voter registration cards to the selected localities across the country.
“The version of the system used in this exercise will operate in a training setting,” he said.
The exercise will be held in various constituencies and venues across Namibia, beginning in the Khomas Region, where residents of the Moses //Garoeb Constituency can visit the Abraham Iiyambo Primary School in Havana on 30 and 31 of August from 8 AM to 4 PM.
In Windhoek, participants have multiple options depending on their constituency.
Those in Windhoek Rural can visit the Groot Aub Constituency Office, while Windhoek West residents will have the convenience of visiting major academic institutions and shopping centres, including the University of Namibia’s (UNAM) main campus in Pionierspark, the International University of Management (IUM) main campus in Dorado Park, and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) main campus.
Additionally, on 31 August, Bainess Shopping Centre will be a key venue for voter verification in Windhoek West, followed by sessions at Grove Mall and Maerua Mall for those in Windhoek East.
On both days, the Okahandja Shopping Mall in the Otjozondjupa Region will host the exercise.
The Ongwediva Constituency in Oshana Region will participate with extended hours on the first day at the Ongwediva Trade Fair, followed by a second day at the Ongwediva Shopping Mall.
“The ECN encourages all eligible citizens to participate in this crucial exercise, which will help determine the readiness of the voter verification module and, ultimately, the success of the electoral process,” Shaama urged.
Shaama added that the ECN will notify political parties and other stakeholders of any technical issues immediately following the MVE, making sure to make any necessary adjustments before the system’s full deployment on polling day.
