Programme to strengthen observation capacity

In order to support the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in facilitating free and fair elections with results accepted by all participating parties, independent stakeholders such as civil society and the media will need to play an enhanced role during the preelection and election period by engaging in observation of all aspects of the electoral process.

The Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) has therefore initiated a programme to develop a broadbased, strong, long-term domestic elections observation capacity in Namibian civil society and the media to ensure a transparent, fair, lawful, and balanced election process.

The training manual Guide to Elections Observation in Namibia was therefore developed by NID to train election observers from the Civil Society Elections Coalition [CSEC] who will subsequently be engaged in examining electoral legislation and regulations, examining the voters’ roll, observing the registration and conduct of political parties and candidates, the selection of electoral officials and the training of poll volunteers.

Published by NID, the training manual has been compiled by John Nakuta, lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Namibia (Unam).

As subject matter experts, Yvonne Dausab, Sam Amoo, Dr Lesley Blaauw, Francois Bangamwabo, Dr Mara Mberira, and Benedict Nakuta also contributed to the chapters.