‘Youth not voting undermines democracy’

The Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) have called on young people to come out in numbers and vote in the forthcoming November national elections, saying by not voting, they undermine democracy.

This was said yesterday by NID communications officer Ginola Nauseb during the Voters Education Panel Discussion at the University of Science and Technology (Nust) in Windhoek.

“By not voting you undermine democracy and the consequences of your absence in the election. Older people can go out in the hot sun to stand in the long election queues because they understand their struggles. They know the problems that they have, if someone promises to increase their old age grants to N$300, they will vote” he said.

He said young people must identify the one person or political party that will best represent their interests.

“Think of what your challenges are and who can fix them – free universities, housing, land allocation and high unemployment,” he said.

Meanwhile, yesterdy president Nangolo Mbumba again urged all eligible voters, especially the youth, to register to vote after reports of reluctance in voter registration.

Mbumba said this yesterday when he officiated the Okahao trade fair commonly known as the Ehao Cultural Expo.

“This expo, incepted in 2019, comes at the backdrop of the ongoing registration of voters for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for 27 November this year.

“Thus, I take this opportunity and encourage all eligible voters present here, especially the youth, in the Omusati region and throughout Namibia to register before the cutoff date of 1 August, which is hardly a week away,” Mbumba said.

The president said if eligible voters register to vote, they will be able to exercise their democratic right and patriotic duty of voting for the party and presidential candidates of their choice.

“Ensure that you enable Namibia to continue traversing the path towards further growth as a peaceful, stable and prosperous country,” he said.

Speaking at the Voters Education Panel Discussion, Nust social sciences lecturer Pia Teek said when young people decide not to vote, there are consequences to that decision.

“How many times do we talk about the repercussions that come with the responsibilities that we have? And unfortunately, we all succumb to the consequences of that decision,” she said.

“You demand rights, they are given to you, you forget your responsibility. You should mind the consequences of not fulfilling your responsibility,” she said.

Teek said young people cannot say there is a lack of party alternatives as an excuse not to vote, adding that anyone can register their own political party.

Meanwhile, Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of Namibia bishop Lucas Katenda told The Namibian yesterday that voting is the only peaceful way to validate ruling parties or to remove them from power

“Only after voting for or against them, does one hold them accountable. You cannot criticise them and not vote for or against them. Not voting is equivalent to permitting the status quo and allowing unchecked ascendance to power,” said Katenda.

He said churches must tread carefully in a democratic dispensation, especially in a case where there is separation of power between church and state.

“They can become politicians and eligible to be voted for and indirectly they can do so through picking and supporting representatives as candidates in elections,” said Katenda.

He said church leaders apportion to themselves a moral responsibility to become watchdogs and voices for the voiceless.