SAVE THE LAST DANCE: register to vote

The chorus urging Namibians to vote is growing.

With just hours to go before the registration of voters for this year’s presidential and National Assembly elections comes to an end, the pressure is on.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia’s deadline is today at 19h00.

The ECN says there will be no extension.

The commission last week announced it has registered 1 315 124 eligible voters in the country and at diplomatic missions abroad, which amounts to 81%.

ECN chief electoral officer Peter Shaama said the figure represents an average of 26 869 registered voters per day from 22 to 27 July.

As the deadline looms, social media influencers are urging their followers to register.

Newly crowned Miss Namibia 2024 Prisca Anyolo says she has done her part and calls on others to do the same.

“I would love to encourage you all to please go out there and . . . exercise your democratic right . . . I myself have already done so and got myself a beautiful voter’s registration card,” she says.

“You definitely have a say, and your vote definitely matters,” she says.

Veteran musician Sunday Shipushu, popularly known as Sunny Boy, says it is important for people to make their voices heard on issues affecting them.

“Failure to do so results in other people choosing who represents you and they may not have your best interests at heart . . .

“You are not the captain of the ship, but you’re still on the ship, my brothers and sisters,” he says.

He says public figures have the power to influence people to bring about change.

The issue of the country’s high unemployment rate lies close to his heart, since it leads to increased crime, Sunny Boy says.

“The other issue I would advocate for is land. Housing is very expensive and also education,” he says.

Artist TopCheri, real name Monica Pinehas, says as a youth brand she believes it’s every creative’s social responsibility to influence and encourage the youth to vote.

“Register to vote and be the change you want to see. It’s better than being a keyboard warrior. Believe it or not, it counts,” she says.

Top Cheri says she cares about fairness, transparency and no violence or intimidation in the upcoming elections.

Local artist Joseph Kandere, known as Sai from the group TKB, says young Namibians who are unsure about voting should remember “your vote is your voice”.

“It’s a powerful tool that can shape the future of our country,” he says.

Sai says voting can address issues such as job creation, promoting policies that encourage job creation, which would lead to a more stable society.

“The second issue is quality education, because education is the cornerstone of a successful country and the last one is access to healthcare, as most people in the inlands have to walk long distances to access healthcare and some actually collapse and die on their way.

“Young voters can play a crucial role in influencing election outcomes,” he says.

Social media influencer Mulongo Hiipinge, who has over 50 000 followers on TikTok, says she has registered to vote and urges her followers to do the same.

“We do what we say. If you are not registering to vote, then tsheeli, where are you? All you need is your ID, then you get your voter’s card and you are ready to vote,” she says.

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member Vendjii Kandetu posted the following on X: “’I don’t do politics’ – well baby, politics is going to do you, regardless. Voting 101: Nine people on a bus. Three vote to drive over a cliff. Two vote to go get ice cream. Four don’t bother to vote. Everyone dies.

“Like it or not, you’re on the bus with everyone else. Make your voice heard.”

Founder and general manager of the ‘Cinderella Goes to Prom Project’ Elizabeth Ipinge says young people who are eligible to vote should go out and register, because without a vote, you cannot complain.

She says social media influencers have a responsibility to use their platforms for the greater good.

Tukwatha Youth Organisation secretary Rauha Akathingo says if people are still undecided on voting, they should remember their vote has the power to bring about change.

“Influencers play a huge role in shaping political engagement . . . They can mobilise movements, because they have large followings,” she says.

Akathingo says: “If you yourself do not understand politics, bring in someone who does.”

Influencer Marvellous Shilongo has been doing polls on her status, asking followers why they have not registered.

“Those of you who still haven’t registered to vote, what exactly are you waiting for? What is your issue?” she writes.

LAST-MINUTE RUSH

Meanwhile, The Namibian yesterday observed a last-minute rush to registration points countrywide.

The ECN’s coordinator for the Oshana region, Amon Haimbangu, yesterday said the commission has registered quite a high number of eligible voters in the region this week.

“We have registered so many people these past few days only and most of them are the youth. On Tuesday night, we closed off really late, because most of our registration points were packed. “Most people only turn up to register late in the evening or when they knock off. We are impressed by the turnout,” he said.

According to the preliminary statistics for the general registration of voters recorded from 3 June to 27 July, the Oshana region has the third-highest number of registered voters, with more than 89% of eligible voters registered in the region.

ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka in a press statement calls on all eligible voters to register before the deadline.

A voter registration education officer in the Zambezi region, Sammy Muhau, says since the registration period started, registration points were quiet, however, the numbers picked up two weeks ago.

He says more older people showed up at first, but this has now changed to more young people.

“The 27 teams in the region were enough to cater for everyone on time. However, as you know, our people like last-minute things. Now they are flocking,” he says.

An increase in voters registering was also observed at Lüderitz yesterday.

“Registration has been quite slow, but because the due date is tomorrow, we are experiencing an increase,” an ECN team leader said yesterday.

In Windhoek, ECN official at the Van Rhyn voting station Otja Tjivikua says she believes voting should be compulsory.

Ivon Tjavara, a point team leader at a registration station in Katutura said people have been showing up in large numbers in the past few days.