Election observers deployed

WINDHOEK – Members of the SADC Parliamentary Forum election observation mission were deployed to the far corners of Namibia on Tuesday The observers were sent out in pairs to the Caprivi, Kavango, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kunene, Erongo, Hardap, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Karas regions.

Two have remained in Windhoek to cover the Khomas Region. The Oshikoto Region is the only region where SADC observers were not deployed.Takawira Musavengana, the SADC Parliamentary Forum Elections Programme Co-ordinator, told Nampa that the Forum could not bring in more than 22 parliamentarians to observe the election because of budget constraints.The SADC observers arrived in Namibia on Saturday from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Tanzania, Lesotho, Angola, South Africa and Malawi.They will examine the independence, impartiality and accountability of the election authorities, the secrecy of the ballot and the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process, voter registration and the state of the voters’ roll.Gender trends and voter turnout in comparison to previous elections will also be looked at.After the counting of votes, the teams will reconvene in Gaborone, Botswana, to issue a statement on the electoral process in Namibia.- NampaThe Oshikoto Region is the only region where SADC observers were not deployed.Takawira Musavengana, the SADC Parliamentary Forum Elections Programme Co-ordinator, told Nampa that the Forum could not bring in more than 22 parliamentarians to observe the election because of budget constraints.The SADC observers arrived in Namibia on Saturday from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Tanzania, Lesotho, Angola, South Africa and Malawi.They will examine the independence, impartiality and accountability of the election authorities, the secrecy of the ballot and the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process, voter registration and the state of the voters’ roll.Gender trends and voter turnout in comparison to previous elections will also be looked at.After the counting of votes, the teams will reconvene in Gaborone, Botswana, to issue a statement on the electoral process in Namibia.- Nampa