How to make sure your vote counts

Small mistakes can be avoided
While most people understand the importance of voting, there may be some uncertainty about the logistics. There are specific ways a voter is expected to behave during this process to ensure you can vote without a hitch. This article sets out these do's and don'ts to help each voter have their voice heard.
Aldo Horn and Zoë Karsten
  • 9 Hours Ago
Every Namibian citizen over 18 has the right to vote in the election on 27 November. For many, this may be a first-time endeavour and there are a few rules that must be followed to ensure that the voting process goes smoothly.



Voting cards

According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), the only requirement for voting is a voter registration card obtained during the general registration of voters that took place from 3 June to 1 August. To vote, this card must be presented at a polling station on 27 November. Namibian citizens will be turned away from the polls if they cannot show this card to officials.



It is important to check the status of your voter card to make sure it is correct and in good condition. If the card has been damaged, lost or has a spelling error or other mistake, it can still be replaced until 26 November at 17:00, Khomas regional election officer Judika Fikunawa says.



“If the card is lost, stolen or damaged you must go to a police office and get a written declaration of what happened. Present this [police] declaration to your constituency office with your ID and they will give you a duplicate voter card,” Fikunawa says.

Constituency offices of all regions are open from 08:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday. Scan the QR code to find out where the nearest constituency office is.



Voting day

On 27 November, the polling stations open at 07:00 and will close at 21:00. Do not leave the line even if 21:00 comes around - anyone in the line by this time will be allowed to cast their vote even if it means that the polling stations must stay open for another few hours. This is according to the Voting Bill of Rights,



A voter must present their voter card to the officials to be allowed to vote. Ensure that a form of identification like an ID, passport or driver's licence can be presented upon the request of the officials to verify the voter card’s authenticity.



Special ink will be used to mark the hands of voters to prevent anyone from voting more than once. If a voter refuses this mark, they will not be allowed to vote.



No voter will be allowed to influence the vote of others. This means that coercing someone into voting in a specific way through bribery or any other means is illegal.



Further, dressing in clothes associated with a specific party or even just a button or hat with the party logo can also influence the votes of others and will not be allowed within 500 meters of the polling station.

Do not show up to vote while drunk - it is illegal and a voter will be turned away.



While a voter is allowed to take their phone into the voting booth, they may not take any photos of the booths or the ballot.



Officials may assist a voter if they request so, especially if the voter has a disability, but they may not influence the voter in any way.



Remember, your vote is private - no one will ever see it.



The ballot

Once inside the voting booth, there are some requirements to ensure that a ballot is counted. Simple mistakes can lead to your ballot being declared void. These are known as spoilt ballots.



The most common ways to spoil a ballot are:

• a ballot with no mark

• a ballot with a mark outside the intended boxes

• a ballot with a mark for more than one candidate

• a ballot marked with a pen or pencil that wasn't given by the officials

• any writing on the ballot that isn’t a simple mark

• a ballot with any identification of the voter



If these rules are followed, voting day will be smooth.