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ASSIGNMENT COVER
2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
Student Name 1. Hambelela-Omwene Kalola 225120399
2. Maiju Lähteenmäki 225207354
3. Justina Fillemon 225121085
4. Rakkel Shuumbwa 225124696
5. Hersmith Sebastianus 201700183
6. Hilma Paulus 225109417
7. Lucia Anton Kenny 225086433
8. Hambelela-Omwene Shaanika 225114925
9. Oletu Mutumbulwa 224132725
10. Rarindo Tjipetekera 225128314
11. Rebekka Isaacks 225118769
12. Floriza Windstaan 225047004
13. Martha N kupembona 224223429
14. Dercia Sousa 224154680
15. Sylvie S Matheus 225084023
16. Lency Abiatar 225054159
17. Helena N Sodom
18. Pondaliya Pipiana W 221136916
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Namibian Politics G3611PN
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Strengthening Electoral Transparency and Public Trust in Namibia
Introduction
Any working democracy is the one having transparency during elections and the trust of people.
Elections in Namibia have been viewed as free and fair since long and the elections in 2019 and
2024 unveiled the existence of severe institutional weaknesses and rising political tension. The
problems of the controversial nature of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a historic Supreme
Court decision on their legality, logistical stuttering and lengthy voting durations (Electoral
Commission of Namibia [ECN], 2020) suggest further concerns regarding the issue of democratic
consolidation, electoral legitimacy and accountability of governance in Namibia.
The essay will go deep into these issues by assembling such evidences as recent elections, legal
events, and theories like democratic consolidation theory and electoral integrity theory. I suggest
that to enhance the electoral transparency in Namibia, technical solutions are not the sole way but
institutional and political inclusiveness are needed.
Theoretical Framework:
Electoral Integrity Theory.
Electoral integrity implies that it is essential to follow international standards and global norms
during the entire process of the election, including pre-election polls and the final outcomes
(Norris, 2014). The issue of EVM transparency and imbalanced processes in Namibia shows the
issue between what is formal and what legit people believe the system to be.
Democratic Theory.
Democratic consolidation theory discusses the process of making a democracy stable,
institutionalised and impervious to authoritarian backslides. One of such is the trust of people on
electoral organisations (Linz and Stepan, 1996). Namibia is often termed as a consolidated
democracy, however, the frequent election wrangles indicate that power is yet to be consolidated.
Dominant Party System Dynamics.
The politics of Namibia are influenced by SWOPA that has been in power since time immemorial.
Although this leads to stability, the dominant-party regimes undermine accountability and
decreases the motivation to reform (Southall, 2013). This background is vital to understand why
the electoral process may be of doubt to people.
Electoral Transparency in Namibia Overview.
Namibia is a constitutional democracy, the elections of which are under control of the Electoral
Commission of Namibia (ECN) (Republic of Namibia, 1990). The ECN has the task of ensuring
that the elections are free, fair and credible. Things however took a new direction in the 2019
elections when the Supreme Court declared the use of EVMs which had no voter-verifiable paper
audit trail (VVPAT) unconstitutional yet the outcome remained the same (ECN, 2020).
The 2024 elections further involved additional issues of operations to include delays and prolonged
voting time due to logistical failures. All of these incidents undermined the social trust and brought
the issue of change into perspective.
Detailed Review of the recent elections.
The Supreme Court of 2019 Decision on EVMs.
In the case ECN v. Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), the Supreme Court ruled that
VVPAT was not violated when EVMs were used and Electoral Act was breached. The court did
not reverse the elections but emphasized the importance of verifiability towards transparency
(ECN, 2020). This decision revealed one of the most important voids in the field of tech innovation
and law.
It is evident in the case that transparency does not only entail efficiency; it also involves
auditability and trust. In the absence of paper trail, stakeholders cannot be certain of the results
they can verify by themselves which is detrimental to confidence.
The 2024 elections and the Logistical Failures.
Arguably, the 2024 election was marred with the operational limitations: omissions in the supply
of ballot papers, malfunctioning machinery, and opening of polling stations late. Voting exceeded
official time deadlines in certain locations in order to allow affected voters entry. Although it was
a good idea, it also questioned the procedural fairness and consistency (UNDP, 2020).
These issues indicate more serious capacity constraints in the ECN and highlight the fact that there
is a necessity to approach the issue of planning and resource distribution in a better way.
Expanded Key Challenges
Technological Legitimacy and Efficiency.
EVMs are quicker electing methods and their validity requires transparency. In the absence of
VVPAT, they are not internationally verifiable (Norris, 2014).
Capacity Constraints in an Institution.
The ECN has a problem of staffing, logistics, and the infrastructure, particularly in the rural areas.
These boundaries lead to delays and inconsistencies (IDEA, 2019).
Legal and Regulatory Gaps
The discrepancy between the legislation and the utilization of technology revealed in the 2019
decision demonstrates that legal provisions should be changed (Republic of Namibia, 1990).
Political Trust Deficit
The opposition parties such as the independent patriots of change (IPC) are on the rise and this
raises the level of scrutiny on the election process and creates a gap of trust.
False News and Digital Manipulation.
Election authorities can disseminate information in good time and rightly through social media,
whereas it can act as a distributor of false information (Transparency International, 2021).
Advanced Reform Strategies
Reform: Legal and Constitutional.
• Revise electoral legislation to govern the election technology specifically.
• Enhance the judicial review of election dispute.
• Make the ECN independent with regard to open appointment procedures.
Technological Reforms
• Install VVPAT‑enabled EVMs.
• Conduct autonomy audits on the system.
• Introduce results clearance systems.
Capacity Building in the Institution.
• Double spending on electoral logistics.
• Increase educational of election administrators.
• Improve electoral facilities in the rural areas.
Stakeholder Engagement
• Consult political parties and civil society on a regular basis.
• Make the process of decision-making more transparent.
Civic Education and Information Management.
• Lily-pad voter education.
• Build fast-response units against fake news.
Comparative Case Studies
Ghana
The Electoral Commission of Ghana has managed to introduce biometric voter registration and
transparent result systems, which have won people much trust (IDEA, 2019).
South Africa
The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa focuses on transparency by engaging the
stakeholders and by ensuring a strong monitoring process, which can be of use to Namibia.
Consequences of Democratic Consolidation.
The difficulties observed in the recent elections in Namibia indicate that the institutions are not
only present, but it is also the constant reform that will make them effective. Democratic
consolidation is based on the character of electoral transparency which strengthens the legitimacy,
accountability and participation by citizens (Linz and Stepan, 1996).
Conclusion
Namibia is in a very crucial stage of democratization. The events of the 2019 and 2024 elections
reveal some strengths and weaknesses of the electoral system. The reinforced transparency and
popular confidence will require an interdisciplinary strategy that will combine legal change,
technological improvements, capacity development, and participatory governance.
By addressing those issues directly, Namibia will be able to cement its democratic roots and ensure
that the elections remain credible, transparent and indeed representative of the will of the people.
References
Electoral Commission of Namibia. (2020). Report on the 2019 presidential and national assembly
elections. Windhoek: ECN.
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). (2019). Electoral integrity
and public trust. Stockholm: IDEA.
Linz, J. J., & Stepan, A. (1996). Problems of democratic transition and consolidation. Johns
Hopkins University Press.
Norris, P. (2014). Why electoral integrity matters. Cambridge University Press.
Republic of Namibia. (1990). The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia. Windhoek: Government
Printer.
Southall, R. (2013). Liberation movements in power: Party and state in Southern Africa.
Pietermaritzburg: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press.
Transparency International. (2021). Global corruption report. Berlin: Transparency
International.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Enhancing electoral integrity in
Africa. New York: UNDP.