Voter registration in Kunene exceeds 90 per cent

Voter registration is proceeding smoothly in the Kunene Region, despite numerous difficulties confronting the region's inhabitants such as the displaced farmers who are migrating about in search of grazing for their cattle in drought-stricken areas. This was said by ECN's Kunene regional electoral officer, Mike Nganjone on Thursday. He said Thursday, which is the deadline for the general voter registration saw people rushing to the registration stations to get their voter cards for the November Presidential and National Assembly elections. The ECN voter registration process began two months ago and ends today. As Namibians prepare to vote in four months, the registration time is crucial for all eligible voters, who must present their cards on election day. Nganjone said a huge number of voters already registered, with the majority of the region's population having registered over the last three weeks and only a few showing up on the final day. 'Despite the numerous obstacles facing the region, I must sta te that we performed admirably in terms of voter registration. We did not expect such a large participation given that our people move around a lot due to drought, but we had to find the means of reaching them,' he stated. Nganjone reported that the region has registered more than 92 per cent of all eligible voters, a feat that he believes will be surpassed in the final hour. He further stated that in several constituencies, the registration process exceeded 100 per cent. 'In some constituencies such as Epupa and Sesfontein, we managed to go beyond the expected figure and this was because of young voters who turned 18 before the final day,' he explained. Kunene has registered over 50 000 eligible voters, accounting for 92 per cent. Epupa Constituency leads with 100 per cent, followed by Opuwo Urban at 93 per cent, and Sesfontein and Opuwo Rural at 86 per cent. Since yesterday, Outjo has registered 83 per cent of voters, followed by Khorixas also with 83 per cent, and Kamanjab with 70 per cent. Source: T he Namibia Press Agency