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Analysts have suggested that a simpler voter registration system should be deployed that takes advantage of modern technology and existing databases.
Some 148,706 Namibians failed to register during the just concluded voter registration (GRV) process but are eligible to vote during the November 27 national elections.
In this year’s GRV exercise, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) registered 91% of the eligible voting population within the 52-day registration period.
This figure is slightly lower than the 93% of registered voters during the 2014 GRV (which lasted 42 days).
While the election network has been praised for fulfilling its duty to encourage eligible citizens to vote, despite the high voter registration turnout, analysts warn that there is a need to dig deeper to find out why nearly 10% of the eligible voting population is not registered.
Finding a solution
Reasons for failure to register include lack of documentation, no proof of residency and unauthenticated documents. Others simply choose not to register.
“We should not ignore those who have failed to register. We need to find out the reasons why people have decided not to register so that we can develop solutions to those factors,” political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said yesterday.
He added: “Some may choose not to register because they are tired of the unfulfilled promises related to improving their socio-economic conditions.”
Modern technology at your fingertips
Some analysts have criticised the ECN for not fully exploiting the potential of technology and for not using existing national databases (such as the Ministry of the Interior’s), resulting in a cumbersome registration process.
Kamwanya called on the commission to diversify the registration process to attract more Namibians to register to vote.
“They mainly use the process for urban voters. They (ECN) need to streamline the process. Why do we need voter cards if we have a national document for validating these voter cards? Other countries use national documents for voting, so I don’t know what there is to worry about,” he said.
“In this technological age, we must find a way to register and vote online,” Kamwanyah advised.
Keep working
“But we must also look at the positive side,” he said, adding that the number of registered voters shows people’s real thirst for democracy and enthusiasm to vote.
“The ECN is not out of the woods yet; the difficult task now is to ensure that all registered voters cast their ballots on election day. The Commission must continue its consultation and voter education campaigns,” he said.
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