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Local News|
Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - Web posted at 10:36:41 GMT Registration extension ruled out PETROS KUTEEUETHE Electoral Commission will not extend the general voters' registration drive. |
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When the two-month countrywide campaign officially ended on Saturday evening, long queues of people wanting to register were still forming at registration points. According to eyewitness accounts, hundreds of people went unregistered, prompting widespread calls from political parties and individuals for an extension. Director of Elections, Philemon Kanime, said the electoral body would not entertain these calls as eligible voters had had ample time before the August 30 deadline to register but chose to wait until the last moment. "Two months is a very long period. This exercise is too costly, we are not going to extend it. People had enough time but they did not register and now they are complaining ... Namibians should learn a culture of responsibility," Kanime told a media briefing in Windhoek yesterday. Kanime announced that unregistered eligible voters could be covered during the supplementary or continuous voters' registration. The date for the supplementary or continuous registration has yet to be determined. Many unregistered voters interviewed by The Namibian admitted they had had plenty of time for registration. But, among others, they blamed human nature, pure sloppiness, time constraints, and logistical problems that arose because of poor planning by the Directorate of Elections. "I stood in the queue for hours only to be told that the film was finished. I went and returned later but the deadline was over," said 29-year-old Khomasdal resident David Erastus. "And I can tell you there are many others who suffered the same fate". Added another resident: "I know I have only myself to blame by making a last-minute rush, but they (Electoral Commission) could have also made necessary arrangements to avoid shortages of material at critical times". Kanime acknowledged that there had been logistical problems. According to him, however, this had not had a severe impact on the registration operation. He blamed Namibians for leaving things to the last minute. The two main opposition parties had mixed reactions to the announcement. While cautiously welcoming the figures on the number of people registered, the Congress of Democracts (CoD) preferred to reserve its comments until a number of issues "on the ground", such as its court challenge on the legality of the registration process, were clarified. "But we definitely stand for people to be given a chance to register if the need is there," CoD president Ben Ulenga said. The DTA, which has already called for the registration period to be extended by at least a week, described the electoral body's decision to ignore such calls as "inappropriate". DTA Administrative Secretary, Rudolph Kamburona, said the Electoral Commission's excuse that it would be costly to extend the exercise was invalid. He pointed out that the registration process started a week late but had a budget for two full months. "What is wrong for them (electoral officials) to go out and fulfil their commitment because there is budgetary provision for that?" Kamburona asked. Meanwhile the Director of Elections announced that the old voters' cards would not be accepted for the upcoming Windhoek West by-election at the end of the month. "The law is clear. No use of old voter cards," Kanime stressed. |
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