Plea to extend voter registration

THE Nudo party Youth League (NYL) is questioning the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s (ECN) capabilities and has called for an extension of the supplementary voter registration after the process started a day late.

‘If the ECN begins with the delay of materials on supplementary registration, what can we expect at the election days in November?’ they asked in a statement issued by the NYL Secretary for the Khomas Region, Pro Laste Ngueumenga. He said it was on this basis that the Youth League was requesting an extension of at least a day or two.’ECN must take to heart its duties to register the voters in time and empower the ordinary citizen or even to allow them to influence the future policies of their government,’ Ngueumenga said, adding that as an independent body, the ECN should not be influenced by any outside factors or third parties.He also said that there were two questions on the minds of all Namibians, particularly the young and the ‘born-frees’.These questions, he said, were: ‘Will this coming election be free and fair?’ and ‘Can we trust the ECN from now on or not?’’It is important to note that the non-participation of certain groups in the elections has important implications. If everyone were to vote, the balance of electoral power would shift toward the recently enfranchised and less privileged members of society,’ he added.The ECN on Sunday reported that most of its operations were back on track and running smoothly by the weekend.It said it was assessing the impact the delay had in certain constituencies.The Political Party Liaison Committee will meet this week to decide on the next course of action.Such course of action may include setting up additional registration teams and a special roster in order to reach the affected areas before September 30.nangula@namibian.com.na