The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will not tolerate laxity by any official who compromises the integrity of the electoral process. 

ECN Chairperson Dr. Elsie Nghikembua said the job is for serious people.

Dr. Nghikembua officially opened the training programme for all regional electoral officers and returning officers, gathered at Swakopmund.

The officers will receive training on electoral laws, procedures, conflict resolution, and the use of technology in the voting process.

The chairperson stressed that ECN is serious about its responsibilities and officials who fail to abide by the rules will be dealt with.

"If you are not performing your work up to the expectations of the commission, we have to let you go. There were those that we unfortunately had to let go during the GRV. Our job is the job for serious people, and it's not for playful people. It is not for people who do not understand the weight of the responsibility that we carry as a commission. Elections are very sensitive; they are at the centre of our democracy. Elections can make or break a nation. We are trying to build, so we need your cooperation." 

The ECN has dismissed two people owing to charges of laxity during the General Voters Registration period.

Dr. Nghikembua noted that training, open dialogue, and teamwork will enable the officers to overcome their challenges.

"Respect authority because I'm consistently hearing that there are those who are defying orders simply because they have worked in previous elections, and when you are given an order, you say we have not done it like this before, and I have worked for ECN for so many elections, and we have always done it this way. This commission has changed many things."

The chairperson further expressed satisfaction with the officers' managing to register the majority of Namibia's voting population ahead of the November elections.