Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has recruited 145 polling officials for the 26 fixed and three mobile polling station teams for the Swakopmund constituency by-election set for 12 August.
In a statement released yesterday, ECN acting chief electoral and referenda officer Petrus Shaama urged voters to go out in numbers to exercise their democratic right.
The vacancy arose in the constituency after the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) expelled its former councillor Ciske Howard-Smith.
“In reference to section 10 (1), ECN is obligated in terms of the law to conduct a by-election in that particular constituency within 90 days from the date the vacancy occurred,” Shaama said.
Shaama said the names of the candidates have been duly nominated, with eight organisations taking part in the elections.
The following candidates have been nominated for the post: Zerolda Dantu – United Democratic Front, Rodger Dausab – Namibia Economic Freedom Fighter, Louisa Kativa – IPC, Tangeni Musheko – Landless People’s Movement, Williward Narib – Independent candidate, Lelanie Pascheka – Popular Democratic Movement, Helemia Salomon – Swapo Party of Namibia (Swapo) and Bernard von Seydlitz-Kurzbach – United People’s Movement.
“Face to face, digital platforms, posters and radio are some of the mediums ECN employed to ensure it reaches the electorate in the constituency,” he said.
Shaama said ECN has completed the bidding process for the printing of ballot papers, and the bid was awarded to Solitaire Press. The verification of the sample ballot papers by authorised representatives has been successfully concluded.
“All sensitive material will be dispatched under strict security and escort of the Namibian Police within the constituency,” he said.
Shaama said a voter’s card is used to identify a registered voter during an election process.
“In the event that a voter has lost or damaged their voter’s card, the voter can apply for a duplicate voter’s card for the Swakopmund constituency [by-election]. The issuance of duplicate voter’s cards will take place from 8 August 2022,” he said.
Shaama added that the team will be deployed on 11 August for the commencement of the polls on 12 August.
The number of registered voters was not revealed.
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