Ballot Paper Production for Namibian Elections on Track, ECN Confirms

WINDHOEK: The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has confirmed that the production of ballot papers for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections is proceeding on schedule. This follows a successful verification process by political parties and presidential candidates, ensuring transparency and integrity in the election preparations. According to Namibia Press Agency, the ECN announced that the printing process commenced in Johannesburg on Tuesday, with further updates promised upon completion. The commission emphasized its commitment to transparency in the production of ballot papers as part of its efforts to uphold democratic principles. To reinforce credibility, an 18-member delegation, including party representatives, was dispatched to Johannesburg to oversee the manufacturing process of the ballots. While most parties participated in the verification process in Johannesburg, three political parties-Christian Democratic Voice (CDV), Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), and the Republic an Party (RP)-opted to verify their details at the ECN headquarters in Windhoek. This verification was completed successfully on Tuesday morning, with all three parties signing off on the sample ballot papers. The ECN confirmed that all 21 political parties and 15 presidential candidates have officially approved the sample ballots. In addition to the CDV and RP, which were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, the PDM withdrew from the Johannesburg process. Other parties, including the Action Democratic Movement, Affirmative Repositioning Movement, and All People's Party, partook in the observation and verification activities. The printing contract, valued at N. dollars 6.2 million, has been awarded to Ren-Form, a South African company. The Presidential and National Assembly Elections are scheduled for November 27, 2024, and the ECN remains committed to conducting the elections with the highest standards of integrity, as required by the Namibian constitution.