Windhoek – Angolan ambassador to Namibia Jovelina Imperial da Costa Friday said that she was optimistic about high voter turnout for 24 August elections, as the Angolans in the neighboring country have expressed desire to cast their ballot for the first time abroad.

“Our campaign has been to raise awareness to the maximum, so that Angolan citizens in Namibia do not miss this opportunity,” she explained.

The diplomat said that the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia does not allow foreign citizens to conduct campaign in Namibian territory.

She stressed that each party is only allowed, through restricted meetings or through social media, to raise awareness among its party supporters to exercise the right to vote.

According to Jovelina da Costa, the Angolan Embassy in Namibia did not receive any campaigning request from the competing political parties, acknowledging that the party representatives are people who know what is not allowed and respect the laws of the host country.

There are over 2,000 Angolan citizens registered in Namibia, who expect to exercise their right to vote on 24 August.

“Relations between Angola and Namibia are excellent at all levels. We have the guarantee of security, on the side of Namibian government, that the elections will take place without constraints,” she said.

These are the fifth polls in the country’s history. Roughly 14.3 million voters are registered including, 22,560 of whom are residing abroad.

Seven political parties and one coalition are running for the 24 August polls.

Source: Angola Press News Agency