Otjiwarongo: Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) officials in the Otjozondjupa Region on Thursday held an information-sharing meeting with representatives from various political parties at Otjiwarongo. The meeting was convened to outline preparatory activities leading up to the Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections scheduled for 26 November this year.
According to Namibia Press Agency, in attendance were members of Swapo, the Landless People's Movement (LPM), Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Body of Christ Party (BCP), Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), and the Republican Party (RP), alongside police officers and an official from the Otjiwarongo Municipality. ECN Otjozondjupa Regional Electoral Officer Victoria Amutenya introduced the 12 constituency and local authority returning officers for Otjiwarongo, Otavi, Grootfontein, Tsumkwe, Okahandja, Omatako, and Okakarara.
Amutenya also detailed the electoral calendar, with key activities starting next week. The ECN indicated that it will have to hire 389 private vehicles to assist with operations in the region. 'We need the public's assistance with vehicles. The testing of such vehicles will take place at Tsumkwe on 27 October, Grootfontein on 29 October, Otjiwarongo on 30 October, and Okahandja on 31 October from 08h00 to 17h00,' she said.
Amutenya also said attending the upcoming training sessions is important. Training for political party agents and police officers is set for 05 and 06 November, while ECN polling officials will be trained from 07 to 15 November. The issuance and re-printing of duplicate voter cards for those with lost or damaged cards will take place from 17 to 25 November.
Beatrice Sililo, ECN's Otjozondjupa regional voter education officer, updated attendees on the ongoing voter education campaigns. She noted that Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, and Tsumkwe have already been covered, with campaigns moving next to Otavi, Okakarara, Omatako, and Okahandja. Sililo urged all voters to practice marking their ballots correctly to avoid spoiled votes. 'Do not deposit blank ballot papers, mark twice or write your names on ballot papers because by doing so such ballot papers will be rejected,' she said.
Sililo announced that 24 November has been designated for a special election exclusively for ECN officials and police officers who will be working on the main election day.