Special voting limited to the police and election officials, says ECN

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says Monday’s special voting is strictly reserved for the police and polling officials who will be deployed outside of their constituencies on election day.

ECN chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama confirmed this on Saturday during a briefing on the commission’s readiness.

“In terms of Section 98(2) of the Electoral Act, the eligibility for special voting is restricted to voters employed as election officials and police officers who will be deployed outside their constituencies on voting day (26 November) to allow them to cast their votes within their constituencies,” Shaama said.

He added that eligible voters must present written authorisation issued by the chief electoral and referenda officer to the presiding officer, and their names must appear on the list of voters entitled to vote during special voting.

Special voting will run from 09h00 to 19h00 on Monday as provided for in Section 98 of the Act. Shaama noted that votes cast during special voting will only be counted after polls close on election day.

Once polling closes on Monday, all ballot boxes will be transported to designated police stations for safekeeping until election day.

Meanwhile, Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) secretary general Jemima on Friday said the ECN should make arrangements to ensure journalists can vote at the polling stations where they are deployed.

“I do not necessarily think there should be a designated day for voting for journalists. From my point of view and experience of covering elections, journalists are generally early at polling stations.

“So arrangements should be made to allow journalists to cast their votes,” she said.

Beukes advised journalists to present their accreditation cards to presiding officers so they can vote within their constituencies.

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