MORE than 8 000 law enforcement officers are ready to be deployed countrywide during the campaigning period of political parties, and the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.
Speaking in an interview with Nampa on Monday, Namibian police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga said the police will take the lead in the safety and security of the elections as they have done before, while ‘Operation Kalahari Desert’ patrols will continue parallel to the voting, but will have nothing to do with the elections themselves.
“When it comes to elections, the Namibian Police will take over everything. We will continue with our joint operation, ‘Operation Kalahari Desert’, to ensure while people are voting that the streets are safe from housebreakings or drug trafficking, but it is separate from the elections,” Ndeitunga said.
Despite challenges such as limited vehicle availability, as well as finite subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances due to financial constraints, Ndeitunga said he guarantees the total safety and security of Namibians during the campaigns and elections.
“We hope for assistance with vehicles and S&T allowances for members because some of the members are placed at polling stations in remote areas for at least 48 hours to secure the polling stations and if they do not get these allowances, it discourages them from carrying out their duties,” he explained.
The police chief further said his officers have been sensitised to ensure they behave courteously and are polite and professional when they interact with the voters, adding that voters should not feel intimidated by the police.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 27 November 2019.
– Nampa
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