Ballot recount at Grootfontein

THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced a recount at Grootfontein after two parties ended up with the same number of votes following Friday’s Local Authority elections.

Chairperson of the ECN, Victor Tonchi, confirmed late yesterday that two political parties, the DTA and the National Democratic Unity Organisation (Nudo), had collected an equal number of votes, and it was therefore difficult to award the remaining seat to either one of them. If the recount also produces a tie, voters at Grootfontein might find themselves returning to the polling stations.However, Tonchi refused to speculate out loud about this option, saying it would be “expensive”.He said the Local Authorities Act made no provision for a ruling in such a case.In the case of national elections, another election can be called.Swapo (4) , Congress of Democrats (one) and the Republican Party (one) have been allocated their seats.”The DTA of Namibia and the National Unity Democratic Organisation received 200 votes each, making it difficult for the ECN to allocate the seventh seat,” he said.He described the situation as “unique”.Tonchi said more stringent measures would be applied when the recounting was done today.The results will be announced after the Commission has discussed them.The presiding officer at Grootfontein is believed to have announced on Saturday that Swapo won five seats and the CoD two.According to Grootfontein-based officials, Swapo pocketed 2 064 votes, the CoD 663 and the RP 213.Senior officials and Commissioners remained in meetings for the whole of yesterday, as they tried to figure out their options.Meanwhile, Tonchi said 157 716 people had voted countrywide, representing a 44 per cent turnout.This figure includes those who voted in the regional by-elections but excluded Grootfontein.If the recount also produces a tie, voters at Grootfontein might find themselves returning to the polling stations.However, Tonchi refused to speculate out loud about this option, saying it would be “expensive”.He said the Local Authorities Act made no provision for a ruling in such a case.In the case of national elections, another election can be called.Swapo (4) , Congress of Democrats (one) and the Republican Party (one) have been allocated their seats.”The DTA of Namibia and the National Unity Democratic Organisation received 200 votes each, making it difficult for the ECN to allocate the seventh seat,” he said.He described the situation as “unique”.Tonchi said more stringent measures would be applied when the recounting was done today.The results will be announced after the Commission has discussed them.The presiding officer at Grootfontein is believed to have announced on Saturday that Swapo won five seats and the CoD two.According to Grootfontein-based officials, Swapo pocketed 2 064 votes, the CoD 663 and the RP 213.Senior officials and Commissioners remained in meetings for the whole of yesterday, as they tried to figure out their options.Meanwhile, Tonchi said 157 716 people had voted countrywide, representing a 44 per cent turnout.This figure includes those who voted in the regional by-elections but excluded Grootfontein.