Show voter registration integrity – Swartbooi

THE //Karas governor, Bernadus Swartbooi, has advised recruits for the voter registration exercise scheduled for 15 January until 2 March ahead of National elections next year that their work is of “absolute integrity”.

Officiating at the training of 184 voter registration officers for the //Karas Region at Keetmanshoop Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Swartbooi said lack of discipline, integrity, and responsibility during the process will compromise the conduct of the elections.

“The total credibility of the country to conduct free and fair elections will be at stake if you make some mistakes. This is not child’s play. This is a big thing. If mistakes are made, the voting process and democracy will be compromised already,” Swartbooi warned.

He also urged the recruits to leave their “lacklustre attitudes and lifestyles” at home, which may lead to such vices as alcohol and drug abuse at work, abuse of government vehicles and gender violence. “These kind of matters should not be tolerated and warrants immediate dismissal. You are to execute your jobs to perfection. To hell with your attitudes,” said Swartbooi. “Political affiliation falls outside your work, therefore, here no politics and tribalism.”

The governor also reminded civil servants who were recruited for the voter registration process not to think that they are now on a holiday break. “Your energy levels should be extra high.” Senior ECN officilas also met political party representatives at Keetmanshoop on Thursday.

According to //Karas ECN regional coordinator Augustinus Ucham the aim of the meeting was to announce registration points and introducing the region’s ECN senior officials.

Political representatives raised concerns over ECN’s recruitment process of voter registration officials. Ucham promised the representatives that he would forward their complaints to the ECN Director of Elections.