The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced that preparations for the Opuwo Rural Constituency by-election are progressing well, stating that the Provisional Voters Register was displayed for public scrutiny on 03 May and no objections were recorded.
Last week, ECN cleared five candidates to vie for the councillor position in the by-election set for 02 July this year. The candidates are Heinze Hariki Maundu of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO), Western Uakaisiua Muharukua of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Kaiho Rikambura of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Kazepanda Tjambiru of the Swapo Party and Howards Kaihepere Tjituri from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).
ECN Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer Theo Mujoro in a statement on Monday issued an invitation to interested companies to submit bids for the printing of ballot papers as per the guidelines of the Public Procurement Act, adding that the awarding of the bids will take place on 07 June, while political parties are also expected to verify the final ballot paper on 11 June.
Mujoro noted that all sensitive materials for the by-election will be dispatched between 21 and 22 June 2021 under strict security and escorted by the Namibian police. It will be held at the police station within the constituency.
The ECN will recruit 156 polling officials to make up 26 teams (eight fixed and 18 mobile), with their training to take place from 25 to 29 June. The training of political party agents and police officials is scheduled for 22 to 24 June.
The deployment of teams to their respective polling venues will be on 30 June and 01 July with a total of 52 vehicles to be used during this process, added Mujoro.
He further stated that the commission is currently busy with voter and civic education activities to educate the residents on the importance of casting their votes through face to face engagement as well as via the radio.
“Posters and flyers have also been printed and distributed,” he added.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
