ECN pushes elections, despite transparency concerns in ballot printing process

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will go ahead with the country’s elections despite transparency concerns raised by political parties around the printing process.

This follows the ECN yesterday receiving 1.6 million election ballots for Namibia’s upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.
The ballots were printed by the South African corporation, Ren-Form CC, at a cost of N$6.2 million.

ECN chief executive Peter Shaama said the commission is committed to conducting fair and transparent elections.

“The finalised ballot papers have since been printed, bound, packaged and sealed under observation, and were transported to Namibia under secure conditions,” said Shaama.

This ensures the integrity of the democratic process is a shared responsibility, he added.

The ECN sent a delegation, comprising 18 political parties contesting in the upcoming elections, to observe the design, layout, production, printing, packaging and delivery of ballot papers.

The delegation also inspected the facilities where the ballot papers were printed.

Some of the delegates, however, have complained that they were not accorded full supervision and there was no clear communication by the ECN and Ren-Form.

Upon delivery of the consignments, the Electoral Commission of Namibia, along­ side the authorised representatives of all 21 political parties contesting in the 2024 elections will be seized with the following activities between 31 October and 13 November:
• 31 October-1 November: Packing and distribution of ballot papers for voting abroad
• 31 October-2 November: Dispatch of election materials to all 35 Namibian diplomatic missions abroad (with the assistance of the Minist­ ry of International Relations and Cooperation) using diplomatic bags to ensure timely delivery 

• 7-10 November: Packing and dispatching of ballot papers to regions for special voting 

• 7-9 November: Training for police officers and election agents for special voting 

• 12 November: Deployment of teams for special voting 

• 13 November: Special voting (members of uniform forces and sea­going personnel) 

• 13 November: Voting abroad 


However, Swapo has called for the election process to proceed despite the concerns raised.

This was said by Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa yesterday during the arrival of the election ballots in Windhoek.

“We must continue, but our approach should prioritise helping everyone involved as key stakeholders. After all, the elections are not held for the ECN, they’re for the political parties and the people.”

Shaningwa further requested that every election ballot paper be inspected thoroughly to clear all concerns surrounding the printing process.

Meanwhile, National Empowerment Fighting Corruption deputy leader Matheus Stephanus said representatives were excluded from many stages of production.

“The company was printing 24 hours while we were not there,” he said.

Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson Teresia Hamurenge said the level of transparency during the production of the ballot papers was misconstrued by the ECN.

United People’s Movement spokesperson Francis Huish said Ren-Form conducted its work professionally.

“I could see that they were professional, a company with the capability and capacity to handle the job. However, there was definitely a breakdown in communication between us and the ECN. We didn’t get to observe most of the processes. Although we were allowed to access certain areas, we couldn’t stay for an extended period, likely due to the company’s security policies. We did, however, get a brief look at the contents of the boxes,” Huish added.