Thread: Elections 2009 Frequently-Asked Qeustions

Came across this useful info on the ECN's web site so its straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. A bit late since registration is now closed, but better late than never?:

Question : Can a foreigner married to a Namibian register as a voter? ‎(1)

No, a foreigner married to a Namibian cannot register and vote.

Question : Can I register as a voter anywhere in Namibia?

In Namibia, it is a requirement register at any registration point within their respective constituencies only.

Question : Can I vote anywhere in Namibia if I have my voter’s card?

For the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, Namibia becomes one constituency. Therefore you can vote anywhere in the country provided that you have your voter’s card. In the case of Regional and Local Authority Elections, you are expected to vote in your constituency or local authority area.

Question : Can Namibian citizens register outside of Namibia?

Yes, at one of the Namibian Foreign Mission - please check http://www.ecn.na/Pages/RegistrationPointSearch.aspx for more information.

Question : Can permanent residents register to vote in Namibia?

The answer is no, permanent residents are not allowed to vote in Namibia, as only Namibian citizens have the right to register and vote in the elections.

Question : I am still in possession of a registration card that was issued when I registered in 1998? Is this voter registration card still valid?

No in terms of the provisions of the Electoral Act a general voter registration is conducted after every ten years and held 2003. All voter registration cards that were valid up until then have ceased to be valid. You name will thus not appear on the voters roll and you need to reregister to vote.

Question : I have registered during the General Registration of 2003 do I need to reregister?

If you have registered during the General Registration of Voters in 2003 and are in possession of a valid voter registration card you need not to register again. Unless any of your particulars as reflected on the voter registration card issued in 2003 has changed since.

Question : I lost my documents including my voter registration card and applied for a duplicate which was issued. In the meantime my old documents were returned can I use both registration cards to vote? ‎

No the original voter registration card that you lost is no longer valid, you need to use your duplicate voter registration card to vote.

Question : If I had registered before, do I again need to identify myself before I can be registered? ‎

Yes, every time you go to the registration point to be registered as a voter, you need to identify yourself. This is simply because the registration officers do not have the Voters’ Register to verify the people who had registered before.

Question : What do I need in order to register as a voter? ‎

New Namibian ID, Old Namibian ID, Valid Namibian Passport Or the following combination:
•Citizenship Certificate and Old Namibian ID (if you were born outside Namibia)
•Namibian Birth Certificate and New Namibian Driver’s Licence
Namibian Birth Certificate and two registered deponents (two sworn declarations signed by two persons who have already registered to vote and who should be in possession of their registration cards and ID documents and who can make sworn statements that they know you.

NB: To register to vote in any local authority council election, bring along your Telecom or Municipal/Town/Village electricity and water bills as proof that you have lived in that local authority area for 12 consecutive months or longer. Alternatively bring along two persons who are registered voters in that particular local authority area to make a statement under oath that they know that you have lived there for 12 consecutive months.

Question : What if I am a Namibian, 18 years or older but I don’t have any of the documents needed?

You need to bring two registered/deponents to make sworn statements that they know you well and you meet the requirements to register as a voter.

Question : What if I miss the continuous registration of voters, but still want to participate in the election?

You still have a chance to register during the supplementary registration of voters which take place before any election.

Question : What if I only want to register to participate in the Local Authorities Elections? ‎

The current Electoral Act does not make provision for the registration of local authority elections only, but presidential, national assembly, regional and (local authority for those who reside in proclaimed local authority areas). However, it is your right to vote in elections of your choice.

Question : What mechanisms are put in place to provide a chance to prison inmates, persons who are hospitalized or pensioners to register? ‎
Based on Article 17 of the Namibian Constitution ECN has since 1992 made it a general practice to deploy mobile registration/polling stations to provide for the registration and voting of persons in institutions such as hospitals, old age homes, prisons and others

Question : What should I do if the registration officer refuses to register me?

Section 18 of the Electoral Act, Act No. 24 of 1992 as amended provides for a refusal form (REG 2). If the Registration Officer is satisfied that such applicant should not be registered as a voter for presidential, national assembly, regional councils or local authorities elections, then the Registration Officer shall:
•Record the refusal form and reasons for such refusal, the date of refusal, the constituency and sign off the record;

•Return the application form and refusal form to the applicant in accordance with the provisions of section 19 of the Electoral Act and inform him/her of his/her right to appeal against the refusal to the magistrate in the area where the refusal has taken place.
•The magistrate is required to make his/her independent ruling on the matter speedily. If the appeal is dismissed, the application form shall be kept by the magistrate in his/her office. If the magistrate upholds the appeal he/she shall forthwith refer the applicant back to the registration officer and direct the applicant to submit the refusal form to the registration officer.

Question : What should one do if a voter’s card got missing/damaged?

One has to wait for the registration of voters: continuous, supplementary or general registration of voters. Alternatively a person from anywhere in the regions can get a duplicate voter’s card from ECN Head Office with a police sworn declaration (this applies only to duplicate but not when there is a change of address or names).

Question : When can I register?

There are three types of registration of voters in Namibia
1.General registration of voters which takes place after every 10 years
2.Supplementary registration of voters
3.Continuous registration of voters. During this exercise, you can always go to registration points and get registered

Question : When is the Supplementary Registration of Voters taking place this year? ‎(1)

This year, Supplementary Registration of Voters will take place during 17 - 30 September 2009, in all 13 regions. Registration points will open at 08h00 – 17h00 from Monday to Saturdays

Question : When will the Presidential and National Assembly Elections be held?

The Presidential and National Assembly Elections are scheduled for November 2009.

Question : Where can I register? ‎

You can use the search on www.ecn.na/Pages/RegistrationPointSearch.aspx

Question : Who can register as a voter in Namibia?

Any person who meets the following:

•Must be able to identify him/herself
•Must be 18 years and older
•Must be a Namibian citizen
•Must be a resident in a local authority area for 12 consecutive months and longer (applicable on local authority elections only)

Question : Why should I register as a voter?

Every voter needs to be registered so that his/her name is included in the Voters’ Register and be provided with voter’s card which allows him/her to participate in the elections. You need a voter registration card in order to vote