Registered voters for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly Elections will be able to vote at any polling station around the country. 

This step aims to facilitate greater participation and inclusivity in the electoral process, ensuring that every Namibian citizen has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right.

During national elections, Namibia becomes one constituency, allowing voters who may be away from their registered constituencies on Election Day to vote where they find themselves. 

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says under the Electoral Act of 2014, voters will be allowed to vote outside their constituencies. The ECN says these voters are recorded on a form to prevent claims something is wrong when a polling station outcome records more than the total registered voters in the constituency.

In previous elections, these votes were placed in separate envelopes that were sent to the constituency where voters were registered to be counted there. 

Executive Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Graham Hopwood, commended the ECN for spearheading the process, allowing voters to cast their ballots from any location. 

He, however, says this flexibility could impact voter turnout.

On the other hand, Director at the Desk for Social Development of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Namibia, Uhuru Dempers, says this could be an added advantage as it would spare voters the need to travel back and forth if they find themselves outside their constituencies where they registered.

Political parties and civic organisations have welcomed the announcement, viewing it as an essential step towards improving electoral participation. 

The ECN has also implemented measures to enhance the security and integrity of the electoral process, including improved technology and increased training for election officials.