AIDS negatively affects electoral process

HIV-AIDS could undermine the culture of democracy, reduce the number of voters and decrease the levels of civic participation, a new research paper on the pandemic and democratic governance in Namibia revealed.

The report stated that AIDS-related deaths, illnesses and caring for the sick and orphans would reduce the number of citizens who are able to participate in public life and this would impact negatively on the country’s electoral process. Making the findings public on Wednesday in Windhoek, Dr Justine Hunter of the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) said more by-elections could be necessary in future due to AIDS-related deaths among parliamentarians and regional councillors and this would result in higher financial burdens for the government.”Owing to the stigma and secrecy that surrounds HIV-AIDS and the absence of precise illness-related information, it is difficult to determine whether a person (…) working for the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) or a political representative has actually died of an AIDS-related illness,” Hunter explained.”It is difficult to ascertain how many by-elections (in Namibia) were actually the result of AIDS since 1990″.The study noted that the high turnover of staff at democratic institutions reduced productivity and caused loss of skills and experience.This would result in governments of developing countries experiencing financial constraints as increased levels of deaths and illnesses eroded the tax base for national budgets.He said democracy could help to slow down the spread of the epidemic and reduce its impact even though HIV-AIDS may undermine democracy.”Namibia’s proportional representation system or party list for parliamentary and local authority elections was superior and the country would be better off maintaining this model.Any broader electoral reform agenda should incorporate provisions dealing with the impact of HIV-AIDS,” the research team recommended.The report recommends that the National Assembly and the National Council in Namibia expedite their plans to establish an HIV-AIDS Committee each and form the envisaged Joint Committee for parliamentarians of both Houses to deal with HIV-AIDS.The research team further recommended that the Electoral Commission develop policies and strategies to educate both its permanent and temporary staff about HIV-AIDS.”During elections polling stations and transport facilities should be numerous enough and strategically situated to minimise the distance ailing people have to travel.A postal voting system could be introduced “to make voting more inclusive but needs to be carefully implemented.”The “heavy reliance” of the ECN on sworn statements to put citizens on the voters roll posed a “serious threat” to the electoral body and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the research report noted.About 30 per cent of eligible voters are still allowed to be registered by means of sworn statements.The research ended in April this year and took five months.It was conducted by Dr Justine Hunter and Doris Kellner of the NID and Graham Hopwood.”We will take this research report to the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Health and the political parties for input, Dr Hunter said.”By early 2007, it will be available in book form,” she added.Making the findings public on Wednesday in Windhoek, Dr Justine Hunter of the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) said more by-elections could be necessary in future due to AIDS-related deaths among parliamentarians and regional councillors and this would result in higher financial burdens for the government.”Owing to the stigma and secrecy that surrounds HIV-AIDS and the absence of precise illness-related information, it is difficult to determine whether a person (…) working for the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) or a political representative has actually died of an AIDS-related illness,” Hunter explained.”It is difficult to ascertain how many by-elections (in Namibia) were actually the result of AIDS since 1990″.The study noted that the high turnover of staff at democratic institutions reduced productivity and caused loss of skills and experience.This would result in governments of developing countries experiencing financial constraints as increased levels of deaths and illnesses eroded the tax base for national budgets.He said democracy could help to slow down the spread of the epidemic and reduce its impact even though HIV-AIDS may undermine democracy.”Namibia’s proportional representation system or party list for parliamentary and local authority elections was superior and the country would be better off maintaining this model.Any broader electoral reform agenda should incorporate provisions dealing with the impact of HIV-AIDS,” the research team recommended.The report recommends that the National Assembly and the National Council in Namibia expedite their plans to establish an HIV-AIDS Committee each and form the envisaged Joint Committee for parliamentarians of both Houses to deal with HIV-AIDS.The research team further recommended that the Electoral Commission develop policies and strategies to educate both its permanent and temporary staff about HIV-AIDS.”During elections polling stations and transport facilities should be numerous enough and strategically situated to minimise the distance ailing people have to travel.A postal voting system could be introduced “to make voting more inclusive but needs to be carefully implemented.”The “heavy reliance” of the ECN on sworn statements to put citizens on the voters roll posed a “serious threat” to the electoral body and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the research report noted.About 30 per cent of eligible voters are still allowed to be registered by means of sworn statements.The research ended in April this year and took five months.It was conducted by Dr Justine Hunter and Doris Kellner of the NID and Graham Hopwood.”We will take this research report to the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Health and the political parties for input, Dr Hunter said.”By early 2007, it will be available in book form,” she added.