WINDHOEK: The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has designated 27 November 2024 as the day for the presidential and national assembly elections.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, made this announcement on Thursday.

He also said that Namibians living abroad, as well as those working at sea and members of the armed forces, will cast ballots on 13 November 2024.

ECN launched the electoral calendar and democracy awareness campaign in preparation for the upcoming elections.

Namibia is among several SADC countries holding presidential and parliamentary elections this year, along with South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, and Mozambique.

Uutoni said both the general registration of voters and the democracy awareness strategy form part of the ECN’s electoral calendar.

‘The campaign will focus on raising awareness about the significance of participating in elections and voting, as well as fostering a sense of civic duty and engagement among citizens.

‘It will ensure sensitising under
standing about the importance of voter registration among eligible citizens, and encourage individuals who meet the voting eligibility requirements to register and participate in the electoral process,’ he said.

The minister said he has full confidence that the adoption of the Electoral Calendar represents a significant step towards the success of the electoral processes scheduled to take place this year.

As per the electoral calendar, ECN will conduct the general registration of voters from 03 June to August 2024. In the meantime, 14 October is set aside for independent candidate nominations, and 16 October is reserved for political party nominations.

Chief Electoral Officer Petrus Shaama noted that the electoral calendar is aligned with international practices and provides a way to plan and prepare for the conducting of any election, including by-elections or scheduled elections.

He said the calendar is premised on three phases, namely the pre-election phase, the election phase, and the post-election ph
ase.

‘The electoral calendar outlines all key milestones and activities to be carried out under each of these phases, as well as timelines leading up to, during, and after elections,’ Shaama said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency