Election officials off to Zambia

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is expected to travel to Zambia today ahead of the national and presidential elections taking place in that country on September 28.

The ECN will observe the elections together with other electoral commissions from southern Africa, which are united in the Electoral Commission Forum (ECF). “The rationale behind the ECF observer mission observing elections in sister countries is to identify elements of election management that need to be strengthened and to make practical proposals or recommendations for improvement,” the ECN said in a statement yesterday.”Through these observer missions the electoral commissions will learn from other countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),” the ECN stated.According to ECN Director Philemon Kanime, only three officials will travel to Zambia.They are ECN chairman Victor Tonchi, a Mr Kanime and Mr HK Shigwedha, senior chief control officer.”The ECN is taking extra economic measures and the delegates will travel by land in an effort to contribute to the realisation of the call of President Hifikepunye Pohamba for Government institutions to utilise the limited resources available sparingly”, the ECN said.Two Members of Parliament, Nora Schimming-Chase (CoD) and Tommy Nambahu (Swapo) left for Zambia on Monday as election observers.”The rationale behind the ECF observer mission observing elections in sister countries is to identify elements of election management that need to be strengthened and to make practical proposals or recommendations for improvement,” the ECN said in a statement yesterday.”Through these observer missions the electoral commissions will learn from other countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),” the ECN stated.According to ECN Director Philemon Kanime, only three officials will travel to Zambia.They are ECN chairman Victor Tonchi, a Mr Kanime and Mr HK Shigwedha, senior chief control officer.”The ECN is taking extra economic measures and the delegates will travel by land in an effort to contribute to the realisation of the call of President Hifikepunye Pohamba for Government institutions to utilise the limited resources available sparingly”, the ECN said.Two Members of Parliament, Nora Schimming-Chase (CoD) and Tommy Nambahu (Swapo) left for Zambia on Monday as election observers.