Opposition mounts pressure to government over Namibia Election Delays
Problems In voting Arrangement and Extensions Give Rise to argumentative Appeals for the Change of the Electoral System.
Elections Key to Namibia’s Future is Marred by Growing Tensions as the Date Draws Near
Namibia’s tightly contested presidential and legislative elections have fallen into disarray as voting was extended for a second time due to massive organisational blunders. The opposition parties say they have been let down by the electoral commission and have accused it of deliberately suppressing the number of voters which they say has reached 1.2 million.
The election will be a litmus test of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which has been in power for the past three and a half decades since the country’s independence 34 years ago. However, rising frustration of youth due to high joblessness and other disparities has presented the biggest test to the liberation struggle party.
Voters suffer long winding queues and failure of some of the voting equipment.
Out of them only 1.5 million were required to vote in the election and as we have seen it was operation problems which hindered the process. Only those able to queue for over 12 hours of voting felt their voice counted as polling stations witnessed more voters than anticipated.
The participated Namibia’s Electoral Commission (ECN) also some stations opened voting up until Thursday while the 36 stations were to open voting until Friday and Saturday. However, the decision has not worked to eliminate frustrations.
The ECN admitted to a host of issues, including:
Lack of ballot papers that was caused by underestimation of the number of voters.
Verification tablets working overtime, a glaring threat to voter registration process.
It’s utter mayhem as torches go up in smokeputting officials in a position where they cannot examine invisible ink that is used to confirm voters.
Mobile voting teams departing early forcing some of the voters to be left behind for hours.
Accusations about Voter Suppression
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leading other opposition parties accused the ECN of deliberately complicating the voting process. Depending on its official Christine Aochamus, IPC said, “We are confident the ECN is taking sides and is against voters.”
McHenry Venaani, the leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) opposed these targeted extensions noting that, “You cannot do this piecemeal.” Since it is a national resource the whole country is affected. Democracy tells everyone ‘You all should be given an equal opportunity to vote’.
The SWAPO will face it most stiff competition that is must struggle to come to terms at the polls.
SWAPO which formerly held monopoly in the elections is on the receiving end of a youthful, dissatisfied population looking for change. These elections have raised leadership issues in the party, and there was a high level of demand for the party to explain itself following the elections.
The allegations of voter suppression have been made by the opposition at the background of fears that delays and irregularities may jeopardize the credibility of the electoral process.
He said ECN had no substitution plans for key suppliers and that it was under pressure to restore investor confidence.
The ECN has been receiving a lot of criticism over the management of this election. Namibia’s opposition leaders maintain that though the commission attributed these to logistical difficulties, such failures diminish credibility of the votes in the country’s polls.
The ECN faces these challenges as Namibia’s democratic institutions are tested; its capacity in handling these issues will determine Namibia’s political destiny.
What’s Next for Namibia?
These election delays’ consequences have brought into focus Namibia’s electoral system dire need for reform. As the country waits for the result, people and politicians are demanding the results and pledge that the democracy was free and fair.