In preparation for the upcoming November 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) facilitated a training session for Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (nbc) journalists.

The training was aimed at equipping journalists with a thorough understanding of the electoral process, empowering them with the necessary knowledge to accurately inform and educate all registered voters and the public.

The ECN, which is currently in the election phase of its calendar, has successfully completed the pre-election phase.

Chief Electoral Referanda Officer Peter Shaama said the electoral calendar is a critical part of the electoral process as it outlines all activities in the build-up to the polling day. 

Training is a key topic that includes voter and civic education, observer and media accreditation, candidate nomination, the code of conduct for registered political parties, political campaigns, polling, and vote counting, as well as the collation and announcement of election results.

"Media play a contributory role to ensure reaching the entire electorate and general public through employing communication strategies, including voter and civic education programmes thereby guaranteeing a free, fair, and transparent electoral process. As we advance with the implementation of this critical phase of our electoral process, as demonstrated during the pre-election phase, the reporters, presenters, and journalists are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality in covering and reporting electoral activities in the build-up to the Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for November 27, 2024."

Shaama stated that the Commission is committed to providing the nbc with the necessary resources, information, and support to facilitate accurate and professional reporting on elections.

The ECN also clarified other key areas of confusion for reporters, such as the distinction between a spoilt and a rejected ballot. 

A spoilt ballot occurs when a voter accidentally selects the wrong candidate and is issued a new ballot, while a rejected ballot results when a voter selects more than one candidate, rendering the vote invalid.