Oshakati: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshana Region is fully prepared to ensure peace and security during Wednesday's Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections, regional commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria said on Monday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Sakaria, speaking at the Government Information Centre in Oshakati, confirmed that election operations were already underway, noting that hundreds of officers who will be deployed for the elections took part in the special voting on Monday. 'The process has been smooth. We have started with the voting of the police officers who are going to take part in the operation. Before they depart, it's special voting only for them. As we speak, they are already voting in their constituencies,' he said.
He said that police officers assigned to distant polling stations in the region began departing on Monday to ensure they are positioned ahead of election day. 'Some teams are already leaving today, those that are going far. We don't want any hiccups. We want teams to be deployed and to be on site on time. But for now, the process is really going smoothly,' the commissioner said.
Sakaria stressed that the deployment plan has been long in preparation and that officers have received the necessary briefings and training in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Namibia. 'We are ready. It's a process that has been ongoing for quite some time now. The members have been trained this year. They are aware of the task and their duties there. Also, we have briefed them. There was a briefing before the deployment,' he said.
A total of 402 police officers have been assigned to election duty across Oshana's 11 constituencies. Sakaria emphasised that the region is geographically wider than many assume. 'We have 402 police officers who are committed to this process across the whole region. People want to think it's a small region. It's only if you think of Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva, but we are talking about as far as Uuvudhia, which goes as far as Etosha,' he explained.
Meanwhile, the Oshana police chief issued a stern warning to voters to adhere to election regulations and maintain discipline at polling stations on Wednesday. 'First of all, we do not expect anyone to turn up with a weapon. Number two, alcohol. Don't bring alcohol to the polling stations,' he cautioned.
Sakaria also warned against intoxication and political canvassing at voting points. 'You don't come drunk, because when they are drunk, they want to cause chaos in the queue, especially, so we don't expect party politics at polling stations. Campaigns should end 24 hours before the voting day, so we don't want people coming and campaigning,' he said.
He added that past incidents of individuals attempting to sway voters in queues will not be tolerated this time around. 'Trying to campaign and persuade people to vote for this or that councillor in the queues - that is not going to be allowed,' he stressed.