Oshikoto councillors want registration points closer to communities

Oshikoto councillors are calling for additional voters’ registration points across various constituencies due to the vastness of the region.

Nehale lya Mpingana councillor Josef Shilongo says many eligible voters are unable to register because they reside in remote areas and do not have the means to travel to registration points.

“People need to understand that it is important to register for a voters’ card in order to cast their votes in November. However, there are some people complaining that the registration points are far, but that should not be used as an excuse of not being registered,” Shilongo says.

As the voters’ registration process nears an end, Oshikoto remains one of the regions with the lowest number of registered voters.

According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), 76 800 eligible voters have registered in the Oshikoto region between 3 June and 13 July. This is out of 127 612 inhabitants, as indicated in the 2023 Housing and Population Census.

Okankolo councillor Hans Nambondi has echoed Shilongo’s call, saying not all residents are able to travel long distances to register.

“Many people are forced to travel to nearby areas to register to vote but only the active ones are able to commute and the vulnerable ones are left out. It will be better if the ECN expands their registration points. The villages are further apart from each other and not everyone is able to commute,” says Nambondi.

Oniipa councillor Vilho Nuunyango says the ECN has so far registered about 18 000 people in the constituency, an increase from 13 000 registered last week.

ECN Oshikoto electoral officer Ester Hipangelwa says the voters’ registration process is progressing well so far. She, however, has not been able to provide additional comment as she is currently busy conducting inspections at registration points across the region.