The number of registered voters has passed the one million mark, with the latest statistics on the General Registration of Voters (GRV) indicating a cumulative 1,153,916 registered voters as of July 20.

This figure however shows that an average of 27,404 people registered per day, which is a slight decline compared to the turnout of the previous week.

National Council Swapo Party MP John Likando has expressed concerns about the inefficiency of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), particularly highlighting delays in the registration process.

Likando was speaking during the debate on the Electoral Amendment Bill.

The debate centred on the Electoral Amendment Bill, specifically on amendments to Section 74.

The amendment aims to allow members of the public service, National Council members, regional councils, and local authorities to participate equally in general elections.

Of the 1,731,790 Namibians eligible to vote, less than 50% (823,761) have so far registered at the different registration points across the country and at the various registration points at all Namibian diplomatic missions abroad since the start of the General Registration of Voters (GRV) on June 3 to July 6.

Omaheke remains the region with the lowest number of registered voters, at 24,261 out of the 60,053 eligible voters. Of the 335,354 eligible voters in the |Khomas Region, only 152,920 have registered so far.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is concerned about the low turnout at registration points countrywide.

So far, only 823,761 Namibians have registered to take part in the November 27 elections. The figure represents an average of 24,562 registered voters per day.

The |Khomas Region tops with 152,920 registered voters, followed by the Ohangwena Region at 87,441, and the Omusati Region in third place with 85,230 registered voters.

In reaction to the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN) decision to deregister the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), CDV leader Gotthardt Kandume labelled the move as unjust and premature.

Kandume explained that there was an agreement with the ECN regarding the submission of financial reports. He stated that the CDV had communicated to the ECN that they would submit their financial report on June 30. This arrangement was accepted by the ECN; however, the Commission deregistered the parties before the agreed-upon date.

The Chairperson of People with Disabilities in the Ohangwena Region, Asser Shikongo, has called on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (EC) to, in the build-up to the national elections, be mindful of their responsibilities to citizens with disabilities. 

Representing the Regional Development Coordinating Committee, Shikongo took up the plight of the people with disabilities, saying their democratic rights are not respected, given the unavailability of information related to general voter registration in formats more easily accessible to the community.

The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Loide Kasingo, motivated the annual reports submitted by the Electoral Commission of Namibia. The reports covered several key areas pertinent to the commission's operations.

Kasingo emphasised that the report not only demonstrates the commission's compliance with legal provisions but also highlights its dedication to fulfilling its mandate.

She stressed the importance of elected representatives recognising the trust placed in them by the people and utilising the report as a tool for enhancing the electoral system.

John Likando, a Swapo MP in the National Council, is urging the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to accelerate preparations for the General Registration of Voters (GRV) following recent amendments to the Electoral Act.

He emphasised the importance of this exercise and called for unified support from all legislators to aid the ECN in this crucial process.

The National Assembly this week approved an amendment to the Electoral Act that allows for the general registration of voters to take place after the prescribed time frame.

Academic Dr. Michael Tjivikua has been disqualified from the race for the position of Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer of the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

This was after it was found that Dr. Tjivikua was a member of the Swapo Party Think Tank, information he failed to disclose.

The ECN conducted public interviews and presentations for the five shortlisted candidates for the position.

Dr. Tjivikua, who was an executive at the Namibia Institute for Public Administration, served in the Swapo Party's Think Tank in 2021.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia, ECN says political parties in parliament are still failing to account for money allocated to them by the state.

Parliamentarian Inna Hengari is calling on the ECN to be firmer as she claims some parties are using these funds to dish out cash loans.

The Electoral Commission presented challenges and success stories to members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Legal Affairs at Swakopmund.