{The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) headed by Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza from Rwanda has commended Namibia’s general Elections saying that the political environment was generally peaceful and calm.}
Speaking to media Ambassador Ndangiza says “The AUEOM congratulates Namibia for taking an innovative and bold step in adopting the use of electronic voting machines in the 2014 elections,”
Ndangiza said the elections were conducted in a manner that allowed Namibians to express their will freely in a credible and transparent manner.
Meanwhile the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) caused a stir yesterday, when they accused South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane of lying about Namibia’s general elections being free and fair.
Nkoana-Mashabane is heading the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to Namibia, which observed Friday’s National Assembly and Presidential elections.
“You are lying. You are contradicting yourself. The elections were not free and fair. Tell the truth,” NEFF leaders shouted, while Nkoana-Mashabane read her speech.
The NEFF leaders were later escorted off the premises.
Nkoana-Mashabane was presenting her preliminary findings on the elections. She said that prior to the polls a number of concerns were raised.
These include the alleged used of public resources, resulting in an unfair advantage to the ruling party, and the use of electronic voting machines (EVM) without a verifiable paper trail.
She said most of the concerns were resolved professionally in an all inclusive manner by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and the relevant stakeholders involved.
Nkoana-Mashabane said the pre-election phase was generally peaceful.
“There were a few isolated incidents of intimidation and violence. However these were dealt with adequately by law-enforcement agents,” she said. She said the ECN had created a conducive environment, demonstrated by its readiness and a state of preparedness for the polls. “
She said on voting day, the observers had seen polling stations generally opening on time, there were some delays.
“The delays at a number of polling stations were generally due to polling officials’ lack of clarity on the use of the EVMs,” she said.
Nkoana-Mashabane made a number of recommendations and called on the ECN and other stakeholders to intensify civic and voter education, as well as to encourage local observers to play a greater role in the election process.
She also called on the ECN to provide a special voting day for police officers, soldiers and other essential workers.
“We urge the people of Namibia and all leaders of political parties to accept the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections,” she said.
Source:{{ Namibian Sun}}
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