ECN official says voter registration going well in Kunene

The Election Commission of Namibia (ECN) regional elections officer in Kunene, Mike Nganjone, says so far there are no challenges encountered during the current general registration of voters.

The registration started on 3 June and will continue until 1 August.

There are 482 registration points in Kunene.

The Kamanjab constituency has 52 registration points, Khorixas has 59, Opuwo Rural has 91, Epupa has 145, Outjo 39, Sesfontein 66 and Opuwo Urban has 30.

Nganjone said 100 to 200 people have been registering to vote at Khorixas daily during the past week.

He urged people to register, to exercise their democratic right during the upcoming elections.

Registration points are open from 08h00 to 19h00 from Monday to Saturday.

All registration points for the Kunene region are mobile, Nganjone said: “We have mobile points dedicated to towns as well as those dedicated to areas outside local authority areas.”

Magdalena Nanubes (67), who registered at Eddie Bowe Primary School at Khorixas, said: “Registering is important as one can be eligible to vote.

“One has to register and exercise their right to vote when elections come. By registering you show you are exercising your freedom to vote.”

Another voter, Angelika Kheises, said: “By voting you choose your leaders. It’s important to partake in important activities such as registering.”

People who registered at Eddie Bowe Primary School said the process was quick and called on Khorixas residents to visit the registration points.

Outjo community activist Koos Mazenge urged all members of the community of Outjo to register for the elections and cast their votes when the elections take place.

Mazenge said: “It’s important to register, it’s important to vote, especially for the youth to raise their grievances through voting.”

The secretary general of the United Democratic Front Women’s League, Seriane Mukuta, has also encouraged Namibians register to vote.

“I want to encourage follow Namibians – youth, women and men – to register. Registering is for our own benefit for us to participate in our national activities,” Mukuta said.

Mukuta added that everyone’s vote counts.