Government Information

Bulletin
Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Republic of Namibia November 2009

Namibians at home, abroad and at sea go

to polls
By Kaleni Hiyalwa

FREE/SpEcial
1

ElEctionS HouSE: This building and it’s occupants have become centre of attention for some time now. The Electoral Commission has become the hive of activities
following the beginning of the campaign for the Presidentail and National Assembly Elections.

27 - 28 novEmBER 2009 are election dates. Many Namibians cannot wait to cast their votes to give a mandate to a fifth government of the Republic of Namibia for the
next five years.

inSERt: Director of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, Mr. Moses Ndjarakana

2009 Presidentail &

IN ThIs Issue

elections Code of National Assembly News from the

Conduct to deliver credible regions
elections

Page 6 Page 10-11 Page 18-20

 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

From the Desk of the Minister Contents

On November 27 – 28, 2009,
Sacrifices of the liberation struggle were not in vain....... 3
Namibians are once again
going to the polls to elect Namibia donates school to Angola…………………….......... 4
into power a president and
members of the National president hands Farm uitkomst to San
Assembly who will leader
community…………........................................................... 5
our country for the next five
years. Heroes’ Day: The rich history must be told, says

Namibia will be twenty years Pohamba…........................................................................ 6

old since independence on
21 March 1990. The country Namibia and Russia sign agreements…………….............. 7
has come of age after having
2009 Election dates announced……………………….......… 7
participated in four rounds
of national elections. Our Hausiku opens new Namibian chancery in Angola…....... 8
democracy, peace and stability
have been consolidated and Namibia commemorates the Day of the
Hon. Joël Kaapanda, Minister of
Information and Communication we have become a model of
democracy in Africa. African Child……............................................................... 9
Technology
Nam-Zim review areas of cooperation.............................. 9
Elections give us the opportunity
to participate in the political affairs of our country to apply our informed SaDc presidents team up to promote cross
decisions to choose the people we want to lead us into prosperity.
border tourism……........................................................... 10-11
It is now time for all Namibians to stand up and go to the polls to vote
Standards for residential child care launched.................. 12
wisely so that we do not become complacent with what we have already
accomplished. This is a decisive moment. Every decision we will make, Namibia and Germany discuss development
will affect the future of our nation.
cooperation....................................................................... 13
Therefore, we must take these elections seriously to give a mandate
to the people we feel are able and capable of making our country Champions applaud Nam’s impressive feats on
prosperous.
HIV/AIDS......................................................................... 14
For close to 20 years, the SWAPO-led Government has been building Pohamba calls for rigorous behaviour change
a solid foundation of a country which was neglected by the apartheid
colonialism. It is only logic that the next Government we elect into campaigns........................................................................ 14
power will continue to implement development projects and programmes
that are aimed at alleviating poverty and raise standards of living of our Who are the champions for a HIV Free
people.
Generation?...................................................................... 15

So, let our voices be heard while we vote in peace. US renews support for Nambia’s fight against

HIV/AIDS......................................................................... 16

Refugees abused Namibian hospitality - Kaapanda........ 17

2 Kaapanda applauds media self-regulation...................... 18

News from Cabinet Chambers......................................... 19-20

Government Information Bulletin: Publicising Government

The Government Information Bulletin was
established through Cabinet decision number
13th/04.07.06/002 as an official information
bulletin to publicise the Government’s
programmes, policies and activities for the
benefit of Government institutions and the
Namibian public. All Government institutions
contribute towards the Bulletin. The Government
Information Bulletin is published monthly by the
Ministry of Information and Communication
Technology. To meet the specific information
needs of communities, the public is invited
to send comments and suggestions on private Bag 13344, Windhoek
Government projects, programmes and policies, telephone 061 - 2839111
Fax 061 - 230170
which will then be covered in the Bulletin. E-mail wdeetlefs@mib.gov.na.
More Government news and information can Design DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi,
be accessed on the GRN news button on the Windhoek.
layout and printing Solitaire Press, Windhoek.
Government internet site at www.grnnet.gov.na
The Bulletin is distributed free of charge to rural
communities through the Ministry’s regional
offices. The public and organisations are
welcome to subscribe to the Bulletin, but mailing
costs will be for the account of the subscriber.
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Namibians at home, abroad and at sea go

to polls
By Kaleni Hiyalwa

T he Electoral Commission of Namibia

(ECN) completed the supplementary
voter registration on 30 September 2009
country-wide. The ECN targeted mostly
people who turned 18 years, who had
never voted before, who lost their voting
cards and whose cards got damaged.
Namibians abroad and those working at
sea have registered and are expected to
turn up in their numbers to exercise their
democratic rights to choose their political
representatives on November13, 2009.
By the end of the two weeks supplementary
voter registration from 17 – 30 September 2009,
992 Namibians in 26 countries had registered,
bringing the total of eligible registered voters to
291 592 as compared to only 82 321 registered
in the 2004 supplementary voter registration.
They include people serving in Namibian
foreign missions and other eligible individual
voters living abroad. The table below shows
the number of registered Namibian voters in
different foreign countries.

Country Total

Angola 13
Austria 28
Belgium 35
Botswana 23
Brazil 104
China 21
Cuba 60
Republic of South Africa, (Cape Town) 95
Democratic Republic of Congo 7
Ethiopia 9
This is how the born-frees flocked to the registration centres around as proud
Egypt 5
Namibian
France 12
Germany 24 The ECN sees this voting process as significant in the fulfillment of the
provision of the recent amendment to the Electoral Act. A high number of
India 20
voters abroad are expected to cast their votes in the November elections.
Malaysia 5 Eligible voters abroad and at sea are expected to vote on 13 November
Nigeria 5 2009. Scheduling the voting date for the voters abroad and at sea is in
New York 54 compliance with the law that stipulates that sea-going personnel have
to vote days before the actual voting date. The Ministry of Fisheries and
RSA (Pretoria) 94 Marine Resources, the Electoral Commission of Namibia and the Ministry of
Russia 26 Foreign Affairs have been working closely to make the exercise a resounding
Sweden 16 success.

Tanzania 13
United Kingdom 33
According to a press release issued on October 3, 2009, the improvement
on the higher turn-out of the supplementary voter registration has been
3
United States of America (Washington DC) 19 attributed to the ECN’s commitment to hard work and the resources
invested on both the voter education and supplementary voter registration.
Zambia 14
“Despite critics and fears, many Namibians flocked to the registration points
Zimbabwe 257 to register and have been able to receive their voting cards,” stated the
press release. It went on to explain that part of the success can be also
TOTAL 992
attributed to the improved partnership between the ECN, media institutions,
Source: ECN

Government, civic organizations and political
parties that supported the voter education
campaigns and in some cases conducted their
own education programmes to motivate people
to register.
The ECN noted the increased interest and
enthusiasm in this year’s elections contrary to
the voter apathy which was “falsely professed
through sensational and selective reporting
by some of the print media”. “Our information
campaigns have helped to raise awareness
and understanding of elections as a measure
of democratic participation,”confirmed the ECN
press reease.
The data reveals that the Khomas region ranks
the highest with a total of 52, 078 followed by
the Omusati region with 32, 657 and Ohangwena
with a total of 31, 643 in the number of voters
generated through the recently concluded voter
registration.
In 2004, a total of 978, 036 Namibians registered
to vote while the preliminary figures generally
indicated that more than 1, 300, 500 people
may be eligible to vote in this year’s elections.
The ECN is urging Namibians to turn-out in large
numbers at the voting points to cast their votes.
They are advised to guard against detractors of
the electoral process who do not want to see
Namibia emerge as one of the most advanced
democracies in Africa, “We should demonstrate
Continues on page 4
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Namibians at home, abroad and at sea go to polls Continues from page 3

tolerance while embracing each other as up to since we were franchised to vote for the able to conduct our own elections in the most
citizens of a country that the world is looking first time in November 1989 through the UN credible fashion,” remarked the ECN, adding
supervised elections. Since then, we have been that there will always be challenges.

Region 2004 2009 %Increase

Caprivi 3, 997 12,574 68.2%

Erongo 6,327 18,257 65.3%
Hardap 2,475 8,794 71.85
Karas 3,236 13,101 75.3%
Kavango 12,638 23,971 47.3%
Khomas 5,131 52,078 90.1%
Kunene 4,793 15,764 69.6%
Ohangwena 11,118 31,643 64.8%
Omaheke 3,916 13,326 70.6%
Omusati 12,414 32,657 61.9%
Oshana 8,204 28,255 70.9%
Oshikoto 3,082 23,642 86.9%
Otjozondjupa 4,990 16,538 69.8%

Grand Total 82,321 290,600 71.7%

“ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT ONLY BE FREE BUT ALSO

BE FAIR: You will be proud of us,” says Tonchi
“Elections are part of capacity-building
and empowerment process.” These are
the words of the Chairman of the Electoral
Commission of Namibia (ECN), Mr. Victor
Tonchi, in his address that he delivered
at the International Day of Democracy at
the Parliament Garden in Windhoek on 15
September 2009.
The Chairman of the ECN noted that the 2009
Presidential and National Assembly Elections were
4 “a mammoth challenge, but quite surmountable”,
considering the fact that they were not the first
to be undertaken in the country. “From ECN’s
perspective, elections are part of the political
capacity-building and empowerment process,
offering the voters opportunity to participate in
decision-making, and to elect their own leaders,”
Mr. Tonchi explained, adding that everyone must
get the opportunity to vote.
“Our assessment includes the required legal and
practical realities of voter registration and election
administration as well as the precise rules and the
method used to translate votes for candidates and/
or parties in an election into an allocation of seats,”
he further explained his body’s duties.
Mr. Tonchi reiterated that voters’ cards are the
only voters’ passports to participate in a particular
election and together with voters’ registers, voters’
cards are used to make sure that only Namibians eliminated by instilling a spirit of tolerance among
participate in the Presidential and National voters.
Assembly Elections, when Namibia becomes one
constituency. Mr. Tonchi singled out a cordial relationship that
exists between the ECN and political parties, saying
The ECN Chairman noted the importance of that it augurs well and stands out as a good omen
maintaining a credible voters’ register by recording for “our country”. He expressed the ECN’s wish for
all those registered abroad, new potential voters good cooperation to exist among the registered
and the removal of the names of deceased persons parties to be replicated in the conduct of their
and change the names of married people who leaders, members and followers.
might have changed their maiden names and
those of spouses, including changes of addresses Mr. Tonchi promised the Namibians citizens: “rest
as well as those who have relocated from one area assured Namibia and our friends that we will get
to another or from constituency to another or from there and you will be very proud of your Electoral
one local authority to another. “A voters’ register Commission of Namibia during the upcoming
helps elections officials to verify that the voters elections”.
turning up to vote are indeed registered; it enables
individuals to ascertain the presence of their names
thereon and gives the electorate a chance to view
the register and to object against the inclusion of
names of persons who should not be there, thereby
ensuring transparency,” explained Mr. Tonchi.
Mr. Tonchi was pleased that the ECN has been hard
at work, preparing citizens, particularly people of
voting age and especially those who are likely
to participate in the elections for the first time –
including the born-frees through road shows,
trade fairs, meetings, symposia and community
meetings. With these activities, the ECN aims at
ensuring that the degree of spoilt votes would be
(ECN), Mr. Victor Tonchi
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Who is Moses Ndjarakana?

A ccording to the CV of the Director of the
Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN),
Mr. Moses Ndjarakana carries enormous
experience with him, not only in legal
matters but also on democracy in Namibia
and the Southern African Development
Community (SADC).
Apart from being the current Director of the ECN,
he is also an Executive Director of the Namibia
Democracy Support Centre since 2005 and the
legal consultant for the SADC Parliamentary Forum
since 1998. After working as a Senior Legal Officer
in the Ministry of Justice for two year, he worked
for three years as a Director of the Legal Council
at the National Assembly. He also briefly worked as
a Secretary to the National Assembly in the year
2000.
Mr. Ndjarakana has been involved in the provision of
legal professional advice to the Namibian legislature
and judiciary branches, scruitinising legislative
instruments such as bills, international treaties and
protocols to ensure accuracy and Constitutionality
University Law School (US) between 1991 – 1994.
The recognition is given to students who have
demonstrated academic excellence.
of those laws, among other duties.
He obtained his General Certificate Examination
He had also spearheaded the implementation of (GCE) at Mater Spei College, in Francistown,
computer learning throughout the country under Botswana.
a project: “Parliament/ Microsoft “Partners in
Learning Project”, of which he was a chairman.
Mr. Ndjarakana studied at the University of West
Indies where he obtained his LLM, specialising in
legislative drafting and Constitution law while most
of his studies were done in the United State.
He was awarded the Meritorious Scholarship from
1988 – 1991 by the Lutheran World Federation
and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for
undergraduate studies, the Dean’s International
Scholarship for his law school studies by the
Carthage college in the US as an excellent student
of the year 1991 – 1992 to study at Capital Mr. Moses Ndjarakana in his office at this busy time

Time is ticking with every heart beat as

voting approaches
By Kaleni Hiyalwa

The Electoral Commission of Namibia is
ready for the upcoming Presidential and
National Assembly Elections despite for
the few hiccups which occurred at the
beginning of the supplementary voter
registration in September 2009. Ballot
papers were said to have arrived late at
the registration points.
The Director of the ECN, Mr. Moses Ndjarakana,
assured the public that everything is in place
and many “born frees”, the youth, the elderly,
people with disability and those who sought for
duplicates have registered country-wide.
He said that the supplementary registration was
a success, adding that this can be attributed to
the systematical education campaign that the
ECN had undertaken.
The ECN is using various strategies to reach
out to various audiences. In addition to the
appointment of the Voter Education Officers
in each constituency, SMSs, bill boards,
radio and television were used as channels
of communication, catering for the different
languages.
The ECN is determined to continue to use these
strategies till the end of the voting process.
Communication is being improved to encourage
more people to go and vote and discourage
voter apathy. Mr. Ndjarakana also commended
the efforts of political parties in conducting voter
education on their own, urging them to continue
to do so.
“The people have matured as far as democracy is
concerned,” remarked Mr. Ndjarakana, reasoning
that 20 years of going to the polls, the country
has come of age and the people know what
elections are all about. He said that the ECN is
creating the right environment for them to go
and vote without fear to choose their leaders.
Mr. Ndjarakana noted that the public is positive
about the elections and that is why a total of 290
000 people were registered in the supplementary
registration although he expects the number to
go down due to some irregularities that may be
detected later. He revealed that the ECN has a
safe mechanism or system to detect applicants
who are trying to be funny by registering more
than once and some foreigners who have tried
to register, saying that the system will detect the
inconsistencies when the data is entered in the
computer.
There will be 571 registration points and 1 500
or more polling stations country-wide, which
include fixed and mobile ones. The Commission
will rely on the government transport, making
use of government vehicles, which will be
delivered in November.
The ECN is training polling and presiding officers
to be able to recruit capable people with good
temperament and professionalism. Between
9 000 and 10 000 people will be recruited as
polling officers from different background such
as the unemployed and government officials at
both junior and senior positions.
Mr. Ndjarakana noted challenges in the 5
recruitment process. The already employed
people are being recruited because they
have experience in handling administrative
procedures, including government vehicles that
cannot be entrusted in the hands of any person
whose record is not well known.
“We take cognisant of the unemployed. We need
to deal with that but not go out all for them,”
said Mr. Ndjarakana, explaining that things have
to be in capable hands.
People with disabilities and the elderly are
catered for and papers are printed in Braille.
Assuring the population that everything is in
place, Mr. Ndjarakana urged people to go and
vote because it only happens once in five years.
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Results will be live on camera to deliver

credible elections
By Kaleni Hiyalwa

T o make the elections as transparent as

possible, the Namibian Broadcasting
Corporation (NBC) and other media houses
will have offices at the Khomas Regional
Council Hall to cover the Presidential and
National Assembly Elections.
“Announcements of the elections results will
be live on NBC television and radio without
any interference,” said Mr. Moses Ndjarakana,
Director of the Electoral Commission of Namibia
(ECN).
There will be regular media sessions or
interaction with ECN officials. In addition to
the mainstream media sessions, the ECN has
established a Website Portal where the public
and other interested parties can send their
queries. Through this medium, citizens can find
out locations of their polling stations and points.
The ECN promised citizens and stakeholders
that there will be improvement in this year’s
elections as compared to the 2004 Presidential
and National Assembly Elections due to
tremendous support received from public sector
institutions, churches and other establishments
that made available their facilities to the ECN.
There will also be an information desk aimed
at responding to the public queries. The public
is advised to only seek for appropriate or issue
related questions. The electoral body has
taken a conscious decision to take the usage
of information and communication technology
commissioners and members of the political
parties under eagle eye to the ECN’s storage
facility in Windhoek.
as a step further during the upcoming elections
both in terms of usage of such technologies in ECN is adamant that it will not leave things to
voter education, training and preparation of chance.It is working hard to make sure that
election officials and the transmission of results. negative effects on it’s journey to the D-Day(s)
This will be done with several ICT partners as are mitigated. This is due to the fact that it
it has already been noticed in terms of sending regards the elections as a project of significant
messages through SMSs to the electorate, national interest that will draw attention of the
sponsored by the MTC, Telecom Namibia and international community.
Cell One
During the elections, Namibia will receive
The ECN wants to ensure transparency and observers and the media from all over the
accountability in the process of conducting world.
credible elections ever to be reckoned. Ballot
papers were printed in South Africa by a Black
Empowerment (BEE) company, REN-FORM
cc which won the tender to print the ballot
papers for the upcoming 2009 Presidential
and National Assembly Elections. Ballot papers
were received under the watchful eyes of some
opposition political parties who registered their
satisfaction on the process.
A close watch had been observed during the
transportation of the ballot papers to Namibia
from South Africa as reported in the local media
From left, Mr. Victor Tonchi, Chairman of the Electoral
earlier that an armed helicopter floated over Commission of Namibia and Mr. Moses Ndjarakana,
the convoy of four trucks, carrying them while Director of the ECN embracing the Namibian flag as
the police escorted the vehicles and the ECN one of the symbols of pride

Political parties and public urged to be

vigilant at polling stations
6 A ll political parties participating in the
upcoming November Presidential
and National Assembly Elections would
have indicated their participation to the
Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)
before the 19 October 2009.

The Director of ECN, Mr, Moses Ndajarakana,

said that political parties’ response to the
electoral code of conduct is “up and down”.
This, he explained, is due to the fact that the
code of conduct does not enforce penalties on
guilty parties and as a result it is difficult to
enforce the law because there are no checks
and balance in place. “But we are trying for as
long as political parties adhere to the principles
of holding peaceful rallies,” Mr. Ndjarakana said.
He added that so far, some political parties have
succeeded in reporting their political rallies to
the authorities before they take place. “Some
of them even come to consult the ECN to find
A voter registration point at the Polytechnic of Namia campus
out as to what is expected of them,” noted the
Continues on page 7

Political parties and public urged to be vigilant at polling stations
ECN Director. On the question of the political
parties’ complaints about the awarding of the
tender to print ballot papers, the ECN Director
said that it is the right of every political party
to question anything related to the elections
with the hope to improve the situation by
suggesting a course of action than just
criticising. “We welcome and appreciate that,”
Mr. Ndjarakana said.
During the elections, political parties are
expected to have their representatives
as watchdogs at the polling stations. Mr.
Ndjarakana called on the public and political
parties to be vigilant.
He explained that since voting will take place
for two days, political party representatives
should be ready to spend a sleepless night
Prime Minister Nahas Angula on election
issues
Question: Namibia is going to hold its
4th Presidential and National Assembly
Elections, how are these elections going
to be different from others?
Answer: “The only difference we have now is
that we have a multiplicity of political parties
and even that multiplicity of political parties
the electoral commission will be able to handle
these elections smoothly with the cooperation
of political parties. That is very, very important -
the cooperation of all the political parties,” said
the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Nahas Angula in
an interview with the Government information
Bulletin.
“There are procedures in place. For example,
the code of conduct of political parties should
regulate the behaviours of political players.
So, as far as I am concerned, I do not see
that these elections are different from other
elections which were held before. We should
have enough experience to run these elections
smoothly in terms of transparency, which is
very important for the growth of democracy in
our country.”
Question: You said that there are so many
political parties now, can you elaborate?
Answer: Parties should hold the letter and
spirit of the Namibian Constitution very high.
The Namibian Constitution prohibits advocacy
for racial, tribal, and ethnic interests. That is
not in the spirit of the Namibian Constitution.
The electorate should be able to distinguish
[between] those who have political grudges
basing their grudges on another individual
Government Information Bulletin November 2009
at the polling stations to watch over the ballot
boxes, saying that they will be expected to
report and confirm the irregularities occurring
at their various stations.
He made it clear that if representatives detect
irregular cases, they have a right to report
them, giving all evidence and proving the issue
beyond reasonable doubt.
The ECN will make this year’s elections
transparent, according to Mr. Ndjarakana, as
counting will be done at the polling stations
and results will be reported to constituencies,
centres and eventually to the Central Result
Centre in Windhoek electronically. Equally, the
results will be displayed at the polling stations
immediately after counting is completed and
By Kaleni Hiyalwa
and those who are truly addressing the lives
of the people. And that is where the political
parties should focus, [especially on] how they
are going to improve things in the next 5 years.
That should be the message. We have a lot of
challenges here in Namibia as far as the welfare
of our people are concerned.
The question of unemployment, HIV/AIDs,
Malaria, TB, housing, sanitation, quality of
education and the economic growth are the
issues. People should talk about the issues and
how they are going to tackle them and not try
to send emotional messages of other political
figures or political parties.
They should focus on issues and I expect that
Namibian political parties should be mature
enough to know that people will distinguish
between the people who are talking about
issues which are going to affect the people
and those who are going to talk about issues
which are kind of political vendetta
in nature.
Question: The world has
changed with the coming of
President Barak Obama to
power in the United States.
What has Namibia learnt
in terms of how to handle
elections or coming to power
of any president or candidate?
Answer: The significance to be
learnt from the emergence of Education is Power: Simon Lala, Assistant Education Officer,
President [Barak] Obama to the conducting voter education in the community of Ohaukelo in
highest authority in the US is the
Continues from page 6
subsequently displayed country-wide as soon
as they are out.
He assured the public that there will be no
movement of ballot boxes. They will remain
at the polling stations until elections are over.
He urged the public to report cases, especially
if they see any ballot boxes being moved
from any polling station during the election
period except for the mobile units which will
be moving from one point to another in a
controlled manner.
Mr. Ndjarakana was sarcastic over the fact
that some members of the public were
not happy about the fact that voting will
take two days, saying it is the same public
that complained that one voting day is not
enough.
fact that the American people have recognised
that a character of a person is very important
and not because of his tribe, his origin or ethnic
background.
It is the character of a person that matters. That
is what we are learning from the experience of
the American people as far as the election of
the Obama is concerned. And I believe that the
Namibian people should also do the same - to
look at the character of the individual.
Is the individual capable of managing our
diversity? It is a challenge to manage the diversity
of Namibia – diversity in terms of culture, social
standing, gender and generations.
7
This is what the Namibian people should look
at – to elect a person who is not standing for
narrow personal interest(s) of a particular group
but a person who can manage the diversity of
Namibia.
the Omulunga Constituency
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Elections Code of Conduct

All parties participating in the Presidential and national Assembly Elections pledged under their
signatures to a code of conduct as a commitment to free and fair elections.

1. Intimidation, in any form, is impermissible.

2. No weapon of any kind, including any traditional weapon, may be brought to any political rally, meeting,
march or other demonstration.

3. Parties shall avoid holding rallies, meetings, marches or demonstrations physically close to one another
during the same time.

4. Parties shall refrain from utilising public address systems, either fixed or mobile between 21:h00 and 07:00
hours and which could constitute a public nuisance.

5. Speakers at political parties may not use language which incites violence in any form against any other
person or group of persons, Parties will not issue pamphlets, newsletters or posters which contain materials
which incite people to violence.

6. Party members and supporters will not disrupt other parties’ rallies, meetings, marches or demonstrations.

7. Party members and supporters will not seek to obstruct other persons from attending the political rallies of
other parties.

8. Party members and supporters will not disfigure or destroy political or campaign material of other parties.

9. Party leaders will use their good offices to seek to ensure reasonable freedom of access by all political parties
to potential voters, including those at farms and on state-owned properties, outside working hours.

10. Parties will establish lines of communication to one another at headquarters, regional and local levels, and
will appoint liaison personnel who will be constantly on call to deal with any problems that may arise.

11. The Director of Elections will meet party representatives on a weekly basis to discuss all matters of concern
related to the election campaign and the election itself. Emergency meetings, will be convened as and when
8 necessary.

12. Designated members will attend their parties’ rallies to ensure compliance with this code.

13. All allegations of intimidation and other unlawful conduct in the election campaign will be brought to the
attention of the Police and to the attention of the Directorate of Elections at the places where they are alleged
to have occurred.

14. Part leaders will issue directives to their members and supporters to observe this Code of Conduct, and take
all other necessary steps to ensure compliance.
15. The Directorate of Elections and party leaders undertake to publicise this Code of Conduct throughout Namibia
by all means at their disposal.

16. Parties will in their advertising and propaganda efforts take care not to disfigure the environment.

Karas region ready to vote
Elections Supervisor, Mr. A. Appolus, Assistant Regional Coordinator, Ms. C. Louw, MICT and Ms. Tiboth
Regional Voter Education Officer busy working
T he month of November will see
Namibians from all walks of life,
young and old heading to the polls to
cast their votes for the election of a new
government that will govern the country
for the next five years. These will be
the testing times as the country will be
under the watchful eyes of the citizens
and the international community since
Namibia is one of the countries respected
for its democratic principles and good
governance in the SADC region and the
African continent.
Preparations are at the pick in all thirteen
regions of the country to ensure that the
electoral process runs smoothly and transparent,
including in the Karas region.
The Governor of the Karas region, Hon. Dawid
Boois, reiterated that the region is ready, saying
that many people expressed their excitement
to once again to elect a government that will
lead the country for the next five years. “People
are well informed and mobilised to take part in
the elections even though there are challenges
such as the unemployment that might lead to
voters’ apathy,” Hon. Boois observed. He noted
that other challenges, including the HIV/AIDS
pandemic and housing are on the top of the
government’s agenda and might not have any
adverse effects on the elections.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)’s
Regional Coordinator in the Karas region, Mr.
Berendt Both revealed that about 13 000 people
Government Information Bulletin November 2009
By Immanuel Kooper & Claudette Louw
ready in the care of the government garage.
Assistant Voter Education Officers have been
trained in all the six constituencies of the Karas
region, focusing on educating voters on how to
cast their votes and what documents they will
need to take along to the polling stations.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia saw the
need to appoint more officers of late as Sara
Lena Tiboth, the Regional Voter Education
officer in Keetmanshoop noted: “I was the
only person doing voter education in the Karas
region during the periods 2004/5 and 2006/7
without transport. People might not have been
well informed and educated on electoral issues
as supposed to be.”
She explained with a shy of relief, “now that
Assistant Voter Education Officers began to be
trained since last year, in each constituency of
the region, the problem is partly addressed
although there are still a few challenges,” she
noted. Tiboth expressed concern regarding
some people not attending voter education
sessions and regular community meetings
to discuss issues affecting them. “Several
have registered in the voter registration in the
region. It came to light that a small percentage
of people who were under the impression that
attempts have been made in the past to
persuade members of communities to attend
meetings but were fruitless despite the wide
the registration period would be extended use of major communication channels such
did not register as a result. But Mr. Both was as radio and television, churches, schools and
satisfied with the overall registration turnout. posters,” she added, calling them to change
Many of the people queued up on the last day such attitudes and exercise their democratic
of the registration. rights by participating in the elections.
About 25 fixed and 8 mobile polling stations Both the Governor and the ECN Regional
will be put up in all six constituencies of the Coordinator urged their communities to go out
Karas Region. Continuous planning, monitoring in big numbers to vote their representatives
and evaluation are underway to address any who will govern the country. They are adamant
shortcomings during the period leading up that the region was prepared to go to the polls
to the elections. Shortcomings have been and are confident that the country will hold
identified during the recruitment processes. peaceful and transparent elections.
In the beginning, it was difficult to identify 9
and select competent
applicants from the huge
number of the people who
applied for these positions,
especially from the list of
the unemployed. Training
of the people recruited in
senior positions such as
presiding and returning
officers became a priority.
The essential logistics in
the region are now in place,
with three logistical depots
in Karasburg, Aus and
Keetmanshoop identified
and established. The
transport needs have been
addressed and vehicles are Giving an interview, Governor of the Karas region, Hon. Dawid Boois left with
Claudette Louw of MICT
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009
“Potential voters should also be educated
on the three branches of government,” said
Governor Hanse-Imarwa
T he Governor of the Hardap region, Hon.
Katrina Hanse-Imarwa, explained how
the region is preparing for the upcoming
elections in November 2009 and referred
to it as “in full swing‘. “We would be seeing
different cars going around the region,
that is from the Electoral Commission of
Namibia (ECN) and the various political
parties, running up and down, campaigning
for the upcoming elections,” she said.
She also believes that people in the Hardap
region are ready to go and vote for the parties
that they believe would bring change in their
lives.
The ECN has put a lot into place, in terms of voter
education. The Governor’s office is also constantly
in consultation with the various divisions, as
well as officials at various constituency levels.
The Voter Education Regional Officer is hard at
work, putting logistics together, concentrating on
various matters in terms of the voter education.
The Hardap region Governor stressed that the
voter education is important. “It is critical that
people have to be educated in terms of the
importance of voting, because if they don’t
understand why they have to vote, then it is
likely that we will be experiencing voter apathy,”
she added.
Explainig the importance of elections, the
Governor said that everything has to be viewed
from the historical background. “For example,
we didn’t have the democratic right to vote.
Through our vote, we can now elect people
10 whom we trust to lead us,” she added.
“We need to inform the people in terms of
the government setup, how the government
is composed, the structures and its functions.
Only through voting that we can establish good
Mariental Municipality offices - one of the polling
stations in the Hardap region
By Hendrina N. Filippus
governance,” the Governor analysed. She further
illustrated that the people should be taught about
the three branches of the government such as
the Executive, Judicial and Legislative, adding
that leaders have the duty to let the voters know
what roles these structures play and why they
are important.
Giving another example, Hon. Imarwa noted
that it was critical that the judicial issues should
be brought into the voter education for people
to understand the justice system, including the
laws that are governing the country as well as
those that are governing the electoral system.
Governor Hanse-Imarwa further explained why
it is important to include legal issues in voter
education, saying that the elected leaders are
usually sworn in by a judge. “That is why we
need Parliament because decisions and laws are
made at that level,” she added.
The Governor reiterated that those systems are
there and can only be maintained if people went
to vote.
Other important issues to implement voter
education are the rights and freedoms in
terms of the elections. “We need to inform the
people what rights and freedoms they have so
that nobody can be afraid to go and vote. For
example, if you are a farm worker and your boss
tells you… “I will be watching you through my
camera if you go and vote for party x, which
is not my party’,” said Hon. Hanse-Imarwa. “It
is important for them to know there is freedom
for them and that they are protected by the
Constitution,” added the Governor.
She noted that various steps in elections should
be included in the voter education because some
people are voting for the first time. “It is critical
for them to understand why they must vote and
that it is their constitutional right to go and vote .
The moment you step into a polling station, you
should know how you will go about it, how to
make your cross,” the Governor reiterated.
The Hardap region has eight mobile 24 fixed
polling stations since the previous Presidential
and National Assembly Elections in 2004. It
is expected that the number will increase this
time. The Governor has come up with various
proposals in terms of reducing the mobile polling
stations by increasing the fixed ones.
She said that there might be changes because
Hon. Katrina Hanse-Himarua, Governor of the Hardap
Region
she has forwarded a submission to the ECN,
proposing several changes in terms of additional
fixed polling stations and the establishment of
mobile points.
In terms of safety and security, residents are
assured that their safety is guaranteed in terms
of political intolerance, aware that it is natural
for people from different political parties to
hold different views. “So those are fundamental
differences and they will exist even in the absence
of elections”, Hon. Hanse-Imarwa noted.
The Governor revealed that there are no major
hiccups in her region as far as political intolerance
is concerned, adding that there is nothing like
political parties fighting and intimidating each
other or stopping or obstructing each other’s
political rallies. “That shows maturity and
tolerance for each other so far”, she said.
As far as the registration of people in the region
is concerned, the Governor explained that in the
first few days, the Hardap region is one of those
that had experienced problems because of some
materials that had not arrived on time, causing
a shortage. In the Rehoboth West Constituency
a total number of 805 people registered to vote.
In the Rehoboth East Constituency a total of 1
605 people have registered, 865 in the Rehoboth
Rural Constituency, 2 658 in Mariental Urban, 1
671 in Mariental Rural Constituency and 1 190 in
Gibeon Constituency. The total people registered
in the Hardap region is about 8 794.
The Governor expressed her satisfaction with
the turn out during the supplementary voter
registration. She urged residents of the Hardap
region to turn out in their numbers to go and
vote.
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Ohangwena set to make important

decisions
By: Maria N. Hedimbi

W ith only few weeks left for the

potential voters to cast their votes
countrywide, Ohangwena region is
prepared to participate in the upcoming
Presidential and National Assembly
Elections. Interestingly, in Namibia’s
elections history, it is the born frees who
will have a chance, for the first time, to
exercise their democratic rights by voting
the leaders of their choices.

According to the Regional Voters Education

Officer, Ndapwa Ndevaetela, Ohangwena
communities have been taught about how to vote
as well as why it is important to exercise their
democratic rights. The Electoral Commission of
Namibia (ECN) has Assistant Voters Education
Officers (AVEO) in all constituencies of the
region, expect Epembe constituency where the
AVEO has resigned earlier this year. However,
Ndevaetela admitted that although the person
resigned, their regional office would have
the responsibility to cater for the .Epembe
constituency.
Anna Ndapanda Noah in Ohangwena region cannot wait for the D-Day. She is so excited
Although people have been well educated on
various aspects of elections, Ndevaetela feels with ECN, but this seems not to be adhered to Anna Ndapanda Noah is one of the eligible
that political intolerance still exists among many by many. “It is only through adherence to the voters who confirmed that she will definitely
people of different political parties, adding that code of conduct that we will have our national go to the polling point to cast her vote,
the Constitution has granted full right to every elections free and fair,” remarked Ndevaetela. emphasising that, by so doing, she will have the
citizen to become a member of any political Ndevaetela pointed out that voter card is the right to complain to her elected leaders if things
party of their choices, and therefore intimidation only pre-requist for one to be allowed to vote. would not happen as promised. She appealed
because of political differences could be Putting on party colours at the polling stations to the ECN, and the general public to ensure
regarded as violence. She emphasised that or in area of about 500m from the polling points that elections are conducted in a free and fair
political parties have signed the code of conduct is strictly prohibited and should be avoided. manner. “It is only through voting, that citizens
can ensure that they will have no regrets about
their future leaders because they will address
their concerns to the leaders they would elect
into power,” said Noah. She concluded that “this 11
is the golden opportunity that only comes after
five years, therefore, people should use this
opportunity to let their voices heard”.

Hilja Haihambo is one of the born frees who for

the first time will cast her vote. She said that
she can not wait to partake in the upcoming
elections. Asked why she wants to vote, she
said that she wants to empower her political
party and is looking forward to consolidated
development in her area. She also felt that
voting will give her the peace of mind and that
peace will always prevail in the country.

During the supplementary registrations,

Ohangwena region registered about 31 643
potential voters. People are reminded to go out
to their nearest polling points, and elect leaders
of their choices.
Hilja Haihambo, a born-free from one of the disadvantaged communities in the Ohangwena region will vote for
the first time in her life
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009
“Go and cast your vote, it is your
democratic right,” says MacLeod-Katjirua
Omaheke Regional Governor, Hon. Laura Mcleod-Katjirua
T he Omaheke Regional Council said it
is happy with the work of the Electoral
Commission of Namibia (ECN). According
to Omaheke Regional Governor, Hon.
Laura McLeod-Katjirua, the ECN is doing
a good job in voter education. McLeod
said the ECN is working with constituency
leaders to educate communities. “The
ECN is doing a good job. There are
education officers in every constituency.
They are also working hand in hand with
traditional leaders and constituency
councilors,” she said.
Governor McLeod-Katjirua said the ECN has
done its job in preparing the region for the
elections with its voter education programs.
“Voter awareness started well in advance and
is still on-going,” she added. She believes there
12 will be a high turnout of voters in November
since most Namibians are getting politically
matured as they understand the need to cast
their votes.
Hon. McLeod-Katjirua further stated that 13
325 residents of the Omaheke region registered,
citing that there was a high number of born-
frees that turned up during the registration
period. She believes that with the high figure
and high moral of the Omaheke potential voters
will attend political rallies as political parties
encourage their members, supporters and
sympathisers to cast their votes.
The Omaheke Governor concluded that her
region is well prepared for the up-coming
November Elections. “We are ready. Everything
is in place and we are just waiting,” she assured
the public, adding that there are enough
By Esther Benjamen
polling stations to prepare for bad weather that might disturb
for all areas and the two-day voting process. There is also a
should the need need for more vehicles unlike during the voter
arise areas, that registration process when vehicles were not
are not covered adequate and some materials such as lamps
adequately, will and tents will also be needed in case it starts
be catered for. raining.
Echoing the same Marenga thus urged Namibians to exercise their
sentiments, the democratic rights – to vote. “I encourage people
ECN Regional to exercise their democratic right as enshrined
C o o r d i n a t o r, in the constitution of Namibia,” he added.
Fessy Marenga,
noted that the One of the registered voters from Gobabis,
region is ready, Abedi Kaiko said that voting is a platform for
commending people to exercise their freedom of expression
the smooth ran and choose who they want to govern them. “If
voter registration given such an opportunity, why not use it? It is
process. Among one of the platforms that allow me to express
the 7 Omaheke my freedom of expression and go to vote for
constituencies, whom I want to be my leader,” added Kaiko.
(Gobabis, Epukiro, Kalahari, Otjinene, Aminuis,
Otjombinde and Stainhaussen), Gobabis One of the born-frees, a grade 12 learner at
recorded the highest registered voters with Winnie Du Plessis High school in Gobabis,
3 399, followed by Otjinene with 2 332. The Rikuvera Katjimune is an excited new registered
Epukiro constituency had the lowest registered voter. He said that come 27-28 November 2009,
voters, numbering 1 393 due to mostly the he will “definitely” go and cast his vote. “I
constituency’s low population. want to have my say in the democracy of the
country,” he added.
Each constituency is with a voter education
officer. The voter education officer, Henry Most people in the region are excited about
Cloete, explained that the high turnout was due the up-coming elections and are eager to go
to the fact that people are now more aware and and cast their votes, citing that Namibia is a
better informed of the voting process. peaceful and democratic country and they hope
that it will remain peaceful and democratic.
Cloete explained that the ECN is still busy
educating the community
on where designated polling
stations are located, voting
dates and on how to cast
their vote to avoid spoilt
ballots.
On the names of the
designated polling stations,
Marenga said that they
are yet to be verified and
residents will be informed as
soon as the list is out.
Although voter education
officers use leaflets, posters,
pamphlets, as well as hosting
meetings with community
members as part of their
voter education programmes
they will also need additional
materials in places without
electricity. There is a need
Henry CLoete, Voter Education Officer at Gobabis
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Oshana voter education officers strive for

100% valid votes
By Mulisa Simiyasa

Electoral Commission code

of conduct, fundamental
human rights and freedoms,
among others, dominated
community discussions
and the Oshiwambo NBC
radio programmes on voter
education.

“The people in the region

are mobilised and we are
still mobilising them,” said
Mutota. Through community
based meetings people ask
questions to which answers
are given.

About 28 255 eligible voters

have registered during
the supplementary voter
registration in the Oshana
region.

Mr. Natangwe Hamata,

Headmaster of the Nengushe
Junior Secondary School in
the Okaku Constituency, has
been voting since the United
Nations Supervised Elections
Natangwe Hamata, Headmaster, Nengushe Junior Secondary School, Severin Shimbindja and Josef Amwandi, oshana Voter Education
Officers in 1989 and he is going to
vote again, this year, because
he believes that it is his

O shana Regional Voters Education

Officer, Vinus Mutota, and her team
are striving to reach 100% valid votes
during the upcoming Presidential and
National Assembly Elections.
It has emerged that some people in the Oshana
region would know how to vote only if there
was one column in which to mark a cross but
get confused if there were more than one box
on the ballot paper to choose from. As a result,
one cannot rule out the possibility of people
making mistakes on the ballot papers if they
are not educated.
On the question as to what will one do if they
made mistakes while they are still in the voting
booth, it is advised that the voter will call an
official present to issue them with a new ballot
paper rather than to scratch on it, in which
case it will be counted as a spoiled or rejected
ballot.
In the Oshana region, registered voters are
educated and advised to use a cross as a
symbol denoting “yes”. The purpose for voter
education in this regard is to avoid generating
invalid ballots as some people may regard
a cross mark as unfriendly. Under normal
circumstances a cross symbolises “wrong” or
off beam unlike in voting when it is used to
symbolise “correct” or “right”.
One of the Voter Education Officer, Shimbindja
Severin, said that during the past elections, it
was alleged that some Oshiwambo speakers
had drawn goatlings (literary ‘baby goats’) on
the ballot paper boxes as a cross is perceived
to be “okakombo” (small goat).
Josef Amwandi (24), Okaku Constituency Voter
Education Officer made sure that emphasis
on how to vote correctly became a priority
during the public education meetings. “I am
sure people here will vote accurately as they
now understand how to cast their votes,” said
Amwandi.
“In our education campaigns, we taught
them how to vote, to identify valid ballots and
the correct symbol that is used in voting to
differentiate between the wrong and right cross
but they can now do,” explained Amwandi.”
Various topics such as elections, multi-party
democracy and political tolerance, the Namibian
democratic right and duty to
do so as a citizen.
At the Indangungu Combined School, teachers
are counting days left before elections start
because they consider voting as their civic duty.
“Voting is the expression of the will of citizens
to exercise their democratic right to choose
leaders of their choice,” a Grade 10 teacher at 13
the school said.
People in the Oshakati informal resettlements
cannot wait to cast their votes in the upcoming
Presidential and National Assembly Elections,
especially those who would see ballot boxes
and papers for the first time.
The Etango Complex Road Showin August 2009
and the subsequent community meetings turned
out to be a milestone in the process because as
they attracted mass attendance, and mostly the
born frees who are eager to know more about
the upcoming elections.
The ECN distributed reading materials and other
campaigning items such as caps, T-shirts and
pens to the public during the Etango Complex
Road Show.
In Uuvudthiya Constituency at Oponona
Kindergarten, the attendance was huge with
elders turning up in a bigger number.
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009
Political parties should educate their
members on elections
T he Governor of the Erongo region,
Hon. Samuel Nuuyoma, has called on
all political parties in his region, as well
as the country as a whole, to actively
educate and inform their members to
avoid intimidations of any nature.
Hon. Nuuyoma was speaking at a media
briefing organised by the Electoral Commission
of Namibia (ECN) on the results of the
supplementary voter registration which was
conducted in September. “All political parties in
the region, in consultation with the ECN, can
make their recommendations on the problems
they have encountered during the just ended
supplementary registration,” said Nuuyoma
He explained that no major incidents were
reported in the region though some members of
the public were not impressed by the attitudes
of some officials, calling on the ECN to train the
officials in question on how to work with people
especially during the upcoming Presidential and
National Assembly Elections.
“The Erongo region is well known as a crime-
free zone and I am urging all the residents to
work together and refrain from evil activities,
especially at this time of the year,” said the
Governor. He called on the political parties
to inform their members not to put on their
political colors when they will be going to vote.
The table below is showing the number of new applicants, those who sought for duplicates, and change of addresses as per constituency in the Erongo
region.
Erongo Region
Constituency
14 Walvis Bay Rural
Walvis Bay Urban
Omaruru
The table below is showing the total number of new applicants, duplicates and change of addresses including new applicants in all the seven
constituencies in the Erongo region.
Grand Total
New Applicants
14862
Kapembe added that, they have come up with some recommendations, including additional polling stations in the region. The meeting was attended
by different stakeholders, including the local councilors and mayors.
By: Ottilie Shingenge
According to article 17, chapter three of the
Human Rights and Freedoms of the Namibian
Constitution, “all citizens shall have the right to
participate in peaceful political activity intended
to influence the composition and policies of
Government. All citizens shall have the right to
form and join political parties and, subject to
such qualifications prescribed by the law, as are
necessary in a democratic society, to participate
in the conduct of public affairs, whether directly
or through freely chosen representatives”. It
further says that every citizen who has reached
the age of 18 years shall have the right to
vote.
Present at the same occasion was the Erongo
Regional Coordinator, Mr. Johannes Kapembe,
who highlighted the challenges faced by his
office during the registration process. Kapembe
said his team had experienced lack of transport
and the insufficient facilities and materials at
the beginning during the voter registration
period, adding that the situation got to normal
later due to the fact that some community
members rendered them with assistance. He
applauded some farmers who had provided
them with vehicles.
The Erongo region has seven constituencies
such as Walvis Bay Urban, Walvis Bay Rural,
New Applicants Duplicates
3047
4094
854
Duplicates Change of Address
8732
From left to right are: Erongo Regional Governor,
Hon. Samuel Nuujoma and the Erongo Regional
Coordinator, Johannes Kapembe
Swakopmund, Arandis, Karibibi, Daures, and
Omaruru. The highest number of applicants or
registrants was recorded in Walvis Bay urban
area with the total new applicants of 4094,
followed by Swakopmund constituency with
3835 new applicants.
According to Kapembe, a total of 31 633
applicants registered for duplicates, change
of addresses and the free-born in all seven
constituencies in the Erongo region. He said
the numbers has shown that people were
well informed during the registration process,
adding that people are willing to exercise their
democratic right and ready to participate in the
upcoming November Presidential and National
Assembly Elections.
Change of Addresses
2142 1436
2353 2200
308 503
Total
8039 31 633

Transport obstacle to voter education in
Kavango
Thomas Shapi
A s the Namibian nation will go to
the poll to elect the leaders of their
choice in both the Presidential and
National Assembly elections, the political
atmosphere in the Kavango region is calm
as anticipated. The calm atmosphere
which is prevailing so far in the heat of
the campaign by the old political parties
as well as those who entered the political
arena for the first time can be attributed
to the political maturity which the people
of the region has reached. In as much as
the parties are campaigning, each party
is doing its affairs in line with the code
of conduct as laid down by the Electoral
Commission of Namibia, that is entrusted
to administer the elections in the Land of
the Brave.
During the interview held with the Governor
for the Kavango region, Hon. John Thighuru,
on how the people of the region are preparing
towards the upcoming elections, he explained
that in terms of mobilising party members to
vote, all political parties represented in the
region have thrown their weight into political
mobilisation to get their members ready.
According to the Governor, the first mobilisation
started last year, when the Electoral Commission
of Namibia (ECN) started with voter education
aimed at providing the electorate with
information about the Presidential and National
Assembly elections, and what the people are
expected to do to become eligible voters. Since
voter education began with staff members from
the ECN, all political parties made huge efforts
to encourage their party members to attend the
voter education session s to get the necessary
information. Voter education emphasised the
Government Information Bulletin November 2009
By Johannes Joachim
importance of democracy and why
people should take part in such
elections. The second mobilisation
was, according to the Governor,
the mobilisation of party members
to get registered during the
Supplementary voter registration
period. “Before and during the
supplementary registration of voters,
political parties did a commendable
job which resulted in a big number
of people turning up at registration
points to either register for the first
time, or for duplicate in case their
voters cards got lost, or in case one
has changed his address by moving
from his constituency to a different
constituency.
Meanwhile, despite the fact that
the supplementary registration in
the region has been successfully completed,
the officials responsible for voter education
in the Kavango region are not happy with
the status quo, in as far as transport made
available for carrying voter education officials is
concerned. One resident of the Kavango region,
Daniel Kandjengo David, told the Government
Information Bulletin that since the start of
voter education last year, only one vehicle was
made available although the two ECN officials
were expected to cover the whole Kavango
region. With the experience gained during the
past voter education sessions, one vehicle was
not adequate to enable officials complete the
most crucial voter education assignment. He
reiterated that additional vehicles for voter
education programmes is of vital importance
to enable the electorate assess information
so that every eligible voter is empowered
with knowledge. This will help people to make
informed decisions when the polling dates
arrive.
Spelling out the objectives which the office of
voter education wants to achieve, Mr. David
explained that “with voter education we want
to ensure a free and fair elections”, saying that
with democratic elections for those who have
registered, supported by voter education, “we
want to kill voter apathy by encouraging the
born frees to cast their vote”.
Meanwhile, during the supplementary
registration, a total of 24 631 eligible voters
were registered in the Kavango region.
According to the Coordinator of elections in
the Kavango region, Mr. Thomas Shapi, the
supplementary registration was conducted in all
the nine constituencies of the Kavango region
such as:
Kahenge Constituency 3953
Kapako Constituency 2587
Mashare Constituency 1942
Mpungu Constituency 2268
Mukwe Constituency 3070
Ndiyona Constituency 2515
Rundu Rural East Constituency 1950
Rundu Rural West Constituency 3132
Rundu Urban Constituency 3214
Out of 24 631 people registered during the
supplementary registration in the region, a total
of 15 562 were new applicants. This figures
represent the group of the born-frees, according
to Mr. Shapi. The figure of 6 014 represents the
people who were registered before but whose
voter cards got lost, while the figure of 3055
represents the people who had moved from
other areas where they were registered.
“From the look of the figures obtained during
the supplementary voter registration, one has
to appreciate the efforts put in by different
political parties who have in fact mobilised their
party members to turn out in their numbers at
registration points. If the political parties had
not done it, the Electoral Commission could not
have succeeded in registering as amy people,”
Mr. Shapi concluded.
Sofar, the representative of the Electoral
Commission of Namibia together with the
registered political parties that will contest
in the upcoming elections, have submitted
a proposal to the Electoral Commission of
Namibia to establish 140 polling stations
15
across the entire region. In their submission
they further proposed that from 140 proposed
polling stations, 83 should be fixed polling
stations, while 57 will be mobile polling stations.
Mr. Shapi indicated further that although the
proposal on the number of the polling stations
were submitted to ECN, some time ago, no
approval has been received yet.
.
However, the Governor for Kavango Region,
Honorable John Thighuru appealed to all
political parties and their members to maintain
the spirit of political tolerance during the
elections, as they had done during the period of
the campaign. “Once the elections are over, and
the results of the elections announced, all of
us should accept the result of the elections as
they are. By doing so our democracy will keep
growing on solid foundation that has been laid
since our independent in1990,” the Governor
said.
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009
Elections are Special: Khomas Region
more than ready for elections
T he Khomas Region is more than ready
for the upcoming elections with a
total number of 200, 590 people having
registered to cast their votes both for
the Presidential and National Assembly
Elections. The Khomas Regional Governor,
Hon. Sophia Shaningwa, revealed this
in an interview on the overview of the
preparedness of her region for the
November elections.
Governor Shaningwa who is the Counsellor for
the Windhoek West Constituency had this to
say: “the Khomas region is prepared for this
important national duty,” adding that leaders of
different parties will stand to be elected to the
National Assembly and a President will be voted
into power by the people.
The list of registered voters in the Khomas
region are as follows:
Name of Total number of
Constituency registered voters
Katutura Central 17,374
Katutura East 13,100
Khomasdal North 20,829
Moses Garo‘b 27,630
Samora Machel 27,245
Soweto 11,107
Tobias Hainyeko 31,142
Windhoek East 12,485
Windhoek Rural 11,151
16
Windhoek West 28,527
Total 200,590
There will be about 80 polling stations in the
Khomas region where voters will be expected to
cast their votes on the two polling days. Some
schools have been turned into polling stations
to bring democracy closer to the people.
Patients who will be admitted will be able to
cast their votes at hospitals such as the Roman
Catholic hospital, one of the polling stations in
the region.
Arrangements have also been made for
prisoners to cast their votes at the Windhoek
Central Prison. Hon. Shaningwa explained
that every constituency in the Khomas region
has two or three polling stations, which will
significantly reduce the long distances that
By Hileni Mudhika
voters would have to travel to
reach the polling stations.
On the voting climate in the
region, which also hosts the
capital city of Windhoek, the
Governor said the situation
has been receiving support
from the Namibian Police
(NAMPOL) since July 2009,
advising political parties
to endeavour to make this
year’s elections peaceful.
From left, Mr. John ole Nekundi, Dr. Helen Nkandi-Shiimi, Hon. Sophia
She observed that NAMPOL Shaningwa, Mr. Alban Kloopers and Ms. Hileni Mudhika
has been urging all political
signifies a spoilt ballot paper.
parties to ensure peaceful
elections in the region “by speaking one
A businessman and a constituency development
language” - that of elections. Hon. Governor
committee member in the Windhoek West
Shaningwa added that procedures and code of
Constituency, Mr. John Ole Nekundi, said people
conduct have been explained so that political
in the constituency are looking forward to
parties would know how they and the electorate
casting their votes on the election days.
should behave on polling days to ensure the
smooth running of the elections.
In his constituency, election awareness
messages are sent to the public through
At a meeting held in Windhoek, where campaign
different media such as TV, radio, newspapers,
and voting dates were announced, the code of
community meetings and political parties
conduct was distributed after it was signed by
all political parties.
Alban Kloopers, the Principal of the Rocky Crest
Secondary School in the same constituency said
She also said that the political campaigns
he received instruction from the Governor to
which were embarked upon soon after
mobilise the community to go and vote in the
the supplementary voter registration were
upcoming elections.
completed. The campaigns were made possible
following information sharing exercises carried
Kloopers explained that voter registration
out in conjunction with the office of the Electoral
started out slowly and eventually picked up the
Commission of Namibia (ECN).
pace as more and more potential voters got
to learn about the registration taking place at
According to Dr. Helen Nkandi-Shiimi,
the school. He revealed that a message was
member of the Windhoek West Constituency,
passed on to parents by learners at the school,
communities are ready to vote, adding that
explaining that soon after the message was sent
there is still time to educate people how to vote,
out, people began to join queues to register for
especially through house to house campaigning
the elections especially on the last day when
to ensure that people know how to mark the
the process went on till late in the night.
cross.
She observed that some
voters tend to tick on their
ballot papers instead of
placing a cross against the
party of their choice. “The
perception out there is that
a cross denotes wrong
whereas a tick denotes
correct,” added Nkandi-
Shiimi, explaining that in
voting a cross denotes
correct whereas a tick
Some schools are turned into polling stations

“Exercise your democratic rights
responsibly,” says Kayone
M ost people feel like they have done
their part, and have been listened
to. They become complacent with the
leaders they put into power. They feel
they had elected their leaders to represent
them and want to continue consolidating
support for them.
The Presidential and National Assembly
Elections to be held in November this year
are regarded as important for the country’s
democracy. Namibians who are eligible to vote
are expected to exercise their constitutional
rights to elect leaders of their choice. Elections
give the people a voice and empower them to
apply their informed decisions. This is especially
true with the youth who will vote for the first
time in their lives.
The supplementary voter registration took place
in the Omusati region and potential voters have
obtained their voter’s cards for the upcoming
elections. Some potential voters expressed
their opinions on the registration process. They
described it as successful due to the fact that
venues were accessible and the time frame was
adequate to allow people to obtain their voter’s
cards.
NO PUBLIC HOLIDAY ON FIRST POLLING DAY
(27 NOVEMBER 2009) IN NAMIBIA’S 4TH
PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
ELECTIONS
F riday, 27 November 2009, which is
also the first polling day in the 2009
Presidential and National Assembly
elections in Namibia will not be a public
holiday.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia announced
earlier that eligible Namibians will go to the
polls on Friday, 27 November and Saturday, 28
November 2009 to vote in the 2009 Presidential
and National Assembly elections. Although
Government Information Bulletin November 2009
By Hileni Shimhulu
The Omusati region residents are
prepared for the upcoming election
and it is expected that the turn out
at the polling stations will be high.
Many people, including the born
frees showed interest in voting.
The region came second highest,
recording 32 657 registered
voters at the national level. This
was confirmed by the Omusati
Regional Governor, Hon. Sacky
Kayone. He also confirmed that
community members were happy
with the voter education meetings
conducted by the Electoral
Commission of Namibia (ECN).
These programmes were aimed
at educating community members
about the up coming elections.
Omusati Regional Governor, Hon. Sacky Kayone
Hon. Kayone is positive that
most of the public places in the Omusati residents to respect one another
region will be used as polling stations, where to avoid disruption as this will disturb peace
community members will flock in large numbers and stability that everyone enjoys today. “Let
during elections. He concluded by encouraging us respect one another and avoid sabotage
everyone in the region, especially the youth to because it disturbs the peace and stability
go and vote in peace. He also called on the we are enjoying in our country,” concluded
Kayone.
17
the Namibian Constitution in Article 32 (5)(a)
allows the President to sign and promulgate
any proclamation, the Government feels that
go and vote. The Government wants to once
again urge voters to approach the Presidential
and National Assembly Elections with a high
there is no need to declare Friday, 27 November degree of tolerance to ensure free, fair and
2009 a public holiday. peaceful elections in the Republic of Namibia.
Voting in the 4th Presidential and National signed
Assembly elections in Namibia will take place
over two days and also outside working hours, MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
which will allow all voters the opportunity to PERMANENT SECRETARY
find time to exercise their democratic right to
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009
News from the Cabinat Chambers
Cabinet took the following decisions at its 20th
meeting held on 27 October 2009.
1. PUBLIC SERVICE WORKPLACE POLICY
ON HIV/AIDS
The Office of the Prime Minister is entrusted
with the responsibility of engaging the public
sector’s leadership, spearheading the response,
mainstreaming HIV from sectoral policies to
implementation, as well as providing technical
support, supervision, monitoring and evaluation.
The public sector response is specifically aimed
at government institutions, while the regional
sector response is with the Ministry of Regional
and Local Government, Housing and Rural
Development.
Great care has been taken to align the public
sector response on HIV/AIDS to already existing
policies, guidelines, documents and legislation.
The focus of the Public Service Workplace Policy
on HIV/AIDS is to help government institutions
to operationalise the principles and standards
set by the National Policy. It covers the five
broad strategic response areas of the national
policy and has been carefully structured to
support a sustainable workplace policy rollout.
As a “promise of the employer to its employees”
it presents an integrated approach allowing
programme managers to link employees to
support systems within the public service, civil
society etc.
The Public Service Workplace Policy on HIV/
AIDS has been developed in consultation
with international and national organisations,
federations and non-governmental organisations
and with inputs from the Ministry of Health and
Social Services and the Ministry of Labour and
Social Welfare.
The official launch of the policy is scheduled for
November 2009.
18 Cabinet, in principle, approved the Public Service
Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS and directed that
annual reviews must be undertaken to ensure
its continued appropriateness for the public
service.
Further information can be obtained from
the Office of the Prime Minister at telephone
number 2879111.
2. ESTABLISHMENT OF A NAMIBIAN
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
The National Policy on Research, Science
and Technology developed in 1999 by the
Ministry of Education recognises that science
and technology interventions are critical to
both promoting and optimising niches and
opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the Research, Science and
Technology Act, Act no 23 of 2004 provides for
the establishment and registration of research
institutes by both the public and private
sectors.
The establishment of a national agricultural
research institute will boost the national
scientific and technical capacity in the area
of crop and animal science. Additionally, it
will further enhance Namibia’s efforts in the
protection of intellectual property rights for
products, crop varieties and animal species
emanating from research undertakings.
Furthermore, the creation of such an institute
will ensure that ecologically sound practices,
where the quality of natural resources,
including land and the vitality of the entire agro-
ecosystem from humans, crops and animals to
soils organisms is improved.
The national agricultural research institute’s
functions will include:
Identification of research interest and conduct
basic, applied and strategic research activities
relevant to the Namibian conditions;
Protect intellectual property rights;
Conserve strategic plant and animal resources;
Collaborate with private sector and other
relevant stakeholders in the utilisation of the
available materials.
In light of the above, Cabinet, in principle,
approved the establishment of the National
Agricultural Research Institute in accordance
with the National Policy on Research, Science
and Technology and the Research, Science and
Technology Act, Act No 23 of 2004. Cabinet
further directed that all existing research
stations, training facilities, analytical and
diagnostic laboratories that are within the
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry
form the core of the envisaged National
Agricultural Research Institute and that
technical directorates and/or divisions in the
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry form
the nucleus of the envisaged institute. Cabinet
mandated the institute to execute all research
activities currently being carried out by the
Ministry to avoid unnecessary duplication of
efforts and ensure that economically viable
research is conducted. Cabinet also directed
that adequate and sufficient resources should
be allocated though the parent ministry to
enable such an institute to execute its research
mandate adequately.
Further information can be obtained from the
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry at
telephone number 2087643.
3. FOURTH SADC CONFERENCE ON
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
IN YEAR 2011, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA
In an effort to recognize, affirm, develop,
promote and protect indigenous knowledge
in Southern Africa, SADC have been hosting
Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) policy
workshops since 2004. The aim of these
workshops was to encourage member states
to develop legislation that governs and protect
IKS. IKS deserves to be protected because
of its vulnerability to innovation mainly in the
pharmaceutical industry.
The 3rd IKS SADC Conference took place in the
Seychelles in July 2009 and recommended that
Namibia hosts the 4th IKS SADC Conference on
IKS in 2011. The hosting of the conference will
benefit Namibia in terms of knowledge sharing,
while the outcome of the conference will inform
the development of Namibia’s own National IKS
Policy.
IKS is a broad area and falls under different
ministries, such as Education; Environment
and Tourism; Health and Social Services;
Agriculture, Water and Forestry; and Mines and
Energy. The Ministry of Education offered to
act as chair of the organising committee, which
will also include the other ministries involved.
The hosting of the conference will cost
approximately N$200 000 and budgetary
provision will be made for the conference in the
2010/2011financial year.
Cabinet endorsed the hosting of the 4th SADC
IKS Conference in Namibia and directed that an
inter-ministerial organising committee should
be formed. Cabinet also directed that an
information meeting/seminar should be hosted
on IKS initiatives in Namibia and that it should
be done in collaboration with the University of
Namibia.
Further information can be obtained from the
Ministry of Education at telephone number
2706141.
4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NAMIBIA
NORTHERN RAIL: ONDANGWA
-OSHIKANGO PROJECT
During the visit of the President of the Peoples
Republic of China to Namibia, Namibia was
offered concessional loans totaling N$1 billion
to be used to fund projects to be agreed upon.
Cabinet approved the following projects for
submission to the Chinese government for
funding under this facility:
Electronic documents and records management
system;
Continues on page 19
 Government Information Bulletin November 2009

Your vote is your voice

PResIDeNTIAL AND NATIONAL AsseMBLY
eLeCTIONs: 27 – 28 NOVeMBeR 2009!!!

The holding of regular, free, fair, transparent and participatory elections is an important pillar for democracy. This
year marks the 20th anniversary of exercising our sovereign franchise for keeping democracy visible and vibrant.
The Namibian nation is once again called upon to exercise their democratic right of voting during the Presidential
and National Assembly elections on 27 – 28 November 2009.

All fixed polling stations will be open from 07h00 till 21h00. Voting times for mobile polling stations will be
announced accordingly.

In accordance with article 28(2) of the Namibian Constitution, the Namibian President is elected by direct, universal
and equal suffrage vote. Members to (the National Assembly are indirectly elected through secret ballot under the
Party list electoral system prepared by all the contesting political parties. The contesting political parties submit
such lists to the Electoral Commission for approval.

For Presidential and National Assembly elections, Namibia becomes one constituency during the voting for the
President and the members of the National Assembly and, hence, voters are allowed to cast their ballots at any
place within or outside the country where balloting facilities are established through tender voting system.

Remember to take along your voters’ card to the polling station in order
for you to be allowed to cast your vote.
Presidential and National Assembly Elections
27 – 28 November 2009
Go vote! Your vote counts!

News from the Canbinet Chambers Continues from page 19

Customs and Excise Inspection Scanners;
Upgrading of the Namibia Institute of
Pathology Laboratories;
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation
equipment;
Upgrading of state hospital infrastructure;
and Northern Rail: Ondangwa - Oshikango
project.
The Electronic documents and records
management system and the Customs and
Excise Inspection scanners have been funded
under this loan facility and both projects are
currently being implemented.
The Northern Rail: Ondangwa - Oshikango
project is ready for implementation and the
Ministry of Works and Transport has entered
into a rail supply contract with the China
Machinery and Equipment Import and Export
Corporation.
With regards to the upgrading of state hospital
infrastructure, the Ministry of Health and Social
Services is in the process of consulting potential
suppliers, while the remaining projects are still
being discussed at ministerial level.
Cabinet took note of the status of the
implementation of projects funded under the
concessional loan facility offered by the People’s
Republic of China. Cabinet directed the Minister
of Finance to proceed with negotiating the loan
agreement for the Northern Rail: Ondangwa
- Oshikango, while Cabinet also directed the
Minister of Finance to proceed with the loan
agreements for the remaining projects once
they have been presented to the Ministry by the
respective line Ministries.
Further information can be obtained from 19
the Ministry of Finance at telephone number
2099111.
5. BRIEFING ON THE 29TH ORDINARY
SADC SUMMIT, HELD FROM 2 TO
8 SEPTEMBER 2009 IN KINSHASA,
DRc
At the SADC Summit held in Kinshasa, DRC,
H. E. Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange, President
of the DRC was elected as chairperson of
SADC, while H. E. Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba,
President of Namibia was elected as Deputy
Chairperson for the next 12 months until
August 2010, where after President Pohamba
will take over as Chairperson. Namibia will,
therefore, form part of the SADC Troika for
the next three years until August 2012, first
as Deputy Chair, then as Chair and lastly as
Continues on page 20
Government Information Bulletin November 2009
News from the Canbinet Chambers
outgoing Chair.
The President of Mozambique, H.E. Mr.
Armando Guebuza was elected as Chair of
the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation, with H.E Ruphia Banda, President
of Zambia as his Deputy Chairperson. His
Majesty, King Mswati III of Swaziland is a
member of the Organ Troika as outgoing
Chairman.
Dr. Tomaz A Salomao was re-elected as
Executive Secretary of SADC. The Summit also
elected Eng. Joao Caholo as Deputy Executive
Secretary for Regional Integration. No Deputy
Executive Secretary for Budget and Finance
was elected due to the absence of a suitable
candidate. It was, therefore, agreed that the
vacancy for the Deputy Executive Secretary
for Budget and Finance be re-advertised and
that it should be open to female candidates
only to achieve gender balance.
The Summit approved and signed five legal
instruments, namely:
Memorandum of Understanding on Regional
Cooperation and Integration among the
Common Market for Eastern and Southern
Africa (COMESA), the East Africa Community
(EAC) and the Southern Africa Development
Community (SADC);
Agreement Amending the Treaty of the SADC
to provide for the new position of a second
Deputy Executive Secretary;
Agreement Amending the Protocol on
Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
and Consequential Amendments to the
Treaty to provide for the Southern African
Regional Police Chief Organisation, which
was approved by the 2006 SADC Summit in
Maseru, Lesotho;
Declaration on Regional Cooperation and
Consumer Laws;
Agreement Amending the Protocol on the
Development of Tourism in the SADC aimed
at aligning the Protocol with the institutional
changes and functions on the implementation
mechanism of the Protocol, in particular
Article 13.
The Summit also considered the following
reports:
Report of the Chairperson of the Organ on
Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation;
Security and political situation in the eastern
parts of the DRC;
Political situation in Lesotho;
Political situation in Madagascar;
Political situation in Zimbabwe;
Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional
Economic Integration;
Progress report on the preparations for the
SADC Customs Union;
The Summit also discussed the Westcor Project,
an energy project in which the DRC has to
submit a Framework for the implementation
of the project. The Summit also reviewed the
social-economic situation in the region with
special attention to the impact of the global
economic crisis on the region; agriculture
and food security; HIV and AIDS; Gender and
Development - Women in Political Decision
Making positions.
The Summit also endorsed Malawi as the
regional candidate for the Chairmanship of the
African Union in 2010.
Cabinet took note of Namibia’s election as Deputy
Chairperson of SADC and being a member of
the SADC Troika, together with the DRC as the
Chair and South Africa as the outgoing Chair and
that due to this position, Namibia is expected to
take part in all programmes and activities of the
SADC Troika and to perform the functions as
Deputy Chair when required. Cabinet also took
note of the fact that Namibia will assume the
Chairmanship of SADC in August 2010, which
means that the 30th Ordinary SADC Summit
will be held in Namibia. Cabinet also noted
that Namibia is expected to provide leadership
and policy direction to SADC during her tenure.
Cabinet directed that adequate preparations
and budgetary allocations should be made for
this responsibility. Between August 2010 and
August 2011 some if not all statutory meetings,
as well as all Extra-ordinary meetings and
summits that may be decided upon are likely to
take place in Namibia.
Cabinet also approved the reactivation of the
SADC National Committee of Senior Officials to
exchange views and make recommendations
to the Ministerial Committee, while Cabinet
also directed that ongoing discussions on the
creation of adequate conference facilities should
be expedited to allow budgetary allocations for
this purpose.
Further information can be obtained from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs at telephone number
2829111.
6. paYmEnt oF SittinG alloWancE
anD RElatED EXpEnSES to non-
GovERnmEnt EmploYEES WHo
Continues from page 19
aRE mEmBERS oF tHE vEtERanS
BoaRD
The Veterans Act, 2008 (Act No 2 of 2008)
provides for the establishment of the
Veterans Board, while also providing for the
payment of sitting allowances and related
expenses for non-government employees.
The Minister of Veterans Affairs approached
Cabinet to determine the sitting allowance
for non-government employees.
Cabinet thus approved a sitting allowance
of N$1000 for non-government employees
on the Veterans Board, as well as related
expenses such as subsistence and travelling
allowances and transport expenses to non-
government Board members.
Further information can be obtained from
the Ministry of Veterans Affairs at telephone
number 2963000.
7. appointmEnt oF tHE BoaRD
oF DiREctoRS oF tHE namiBia
national REinSuRancE
coRpoRation (namiBRE)
Cabinet approved the appointment of the
following two people to the Namibre Board of
Directors for the next three years with effect
from 4 November 2009:
Mr. Ananias N. K. Abner, Deputy Director
Budget Management in the Ministry of
Finance;
Mr. Gottlieb F. Hinda, Chief Operations Officer
at the Bank of Namibia
Cabinet also approved the re-appointment
of the following five people to the Namibre
Board of Directors for the next three years
with effect from 4 November 2009:
Ms. Maria Shivute Dax, Chairperson of the
GIPF Board, General Manager Corporate
Communications and Marketing at the GIPF;
Mr. Ismael Gei-Khoibeb, Chief Executive
Officer of the Institute of Bankers;
Ms. Nelago Aima Kasuto, Managing Director
of the Komeho Namibia Development
Agency;
Mr. David A Keendjele, on fellowship offered
by the World Bank and the ILO; and
Mr. Rapama Rehabeam Kamehozu, Executive
Chairman of various empowerment groups.
Further information can be obtained from
the Ministry of Finance at telephone number
2099111.