IN 2014, Namibia became the first country in Africa to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in a national election. The introduction of the EVMs has, however, drawn diverse opinions, with some questioning the effectiveness of these devices. Others prefer the ballot paper voting system, claiming that it eliminates doubt over results.
Terttu Newaka and Henry van Rooi of took to the streets of Windhoek to gauge the views of the public on these two voting systems.
“Definitely electronic. It is easier, and I trust machines more than I trust ballot paper. People make more mistakes than machines.”
“Machines are better because people cannot manipulate the system. Pa- pers always go missing. It happened once, and it can happen again. With the machines, the votes cannot disappear.”
“Electronic is easier. Ballot papers are old-school, and the systems have changed with technology. Results can be lost via the old system, but the machines save the information.”
“It does not matter to me. With the way things are going, things are only going one way, so one loses interest in these things.”
“Electronic is better because it is a faster process.”
“I like the ballot paper because using machines is not only a long process, but they can be confusing because you cannot view your selection to double-check your vote. Even though you can press cancel, it is still confusing.”
“I prefer the electronic one because it is very fast and convenient. It is a better way of keeping record and for security, as they cannot delete the votes, unlike with the paper ballots, where they can just tear them up.”
“Electronic would be better. I feel it is quicker and saves time.”
“The ballot paper is better because making a cross on a page is easy, and you can see the party you chose. With the machines, you can- not do that.”
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
