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Do you think the 27 and 28 November 2009, Presidential and National Assembly Elections were transparent, credible, peaceful, free and fair? What are your thoughts, experiences and observations about the whole process?

Comrade_007

I think all in all we can be proud of this national effort, even at this early stage compared to say Zimbabwe's recent tortorous experience. I'm sure there will be contentious issues and acrimonious discussions, disappointments and maybe even court cases and investigations - apart from lessons learned - etc.. but from talking to friends and family members the vast majority say they had a pleasant voting experience, despite waiting for many hours at times and feel they were able to excercise their democratic right to vote for the party of their chocie in a free, unfettered manner.

The crucial thing now is that every vote is counted and the results announced as soon as possible to instill fruther confidence in the process and the results themselves. The longer the ECN waits, the stronger the rumour mill grinds away.....

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"Nothing is complete and thus nothing is exempt from criticism." - James Luther Adams:

Mie1

Yes! They were free and fair. Despite initial hiccups the ECN got itself into gear and managed the process adequately. It is par for the course that parties will always complain and accuse the electoral body of mismanagement. In the end there are very few valid issues about the whole process.

One may want to remember, too, that 99% of the staff engaged in the exercise are volunteers recruited from the citizenry who do not have in-depth experience of the whole process. Yes, they are paid, but there is probably only a core group of people who are doing this for the second or even third time.

Ignoring some of the more hyperbolic utterings by the various observer missions (SADC/EU), it is still evident that the members were impressed by the way we have run our elections.

Congratulations, Namibia! Congratulations to all involved: ECN, parties, media,NSHR and IPPR and all others.

A job well done !

Now let's just move a bit faster with the certification and the whole nation will happy and smiling!

Justina

VIVA Namibia, VIVA SWAPO Party! Sure we dont support all the same party but this was a good election. Look around some other countries and see howmany problems they have and look at Namibia again. People have spoken!

Lukas

it's tru the elections were free, fair, credible and democratic. VIVA Namibia

Galaxy

For me the highlight was to see all these hundreds of people queueing for hours to cast their votes, which is a tremendous sight to behold and to cast my votes without ANYONE telling me who to vote for, and why, or why not.

The lowest point, at least rhethorically, were Geingob's unfortunate and in a way fascist comments about opposition politicans suffering from the Savimbi syndrome. It is not appropriate for a national leaer like Geingob to make such deeply irresponsible and intolerant statements, and it confirms my worst fear that facists elements in the SWAPO are growing stronger and will keep the party and the nation hostage in the not so distant future. I hope they will be resisted by the moderate, tolerant and democratic element in the party.

Let's say it again: SWAPO is NOT NAMIBIA and NAMIBIA is not equal to SWAPO. Namibia belongs to the PEOPLE of NAMIBIA who may not all agree with, identify with or support SWAPO. Equally, NAMIAIB is made up of PEOPLE, not of SWAPO PEOPLE only. Every law-abiding citizen has the right to live and work in Namibia as they please, and it includes NOT SUPPORTING SWAPO.

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Is it not careless to become too local when there are four hundred billion stars in our galaxy alone - Archie R. Ammons

miltonlouw

I should make clear from the outset that i am a SWAPO supporter.

However, even I would like to see more robust politics where the opinion of the dissedent or political analyst is given thorough and proper thought.

I hope to see the local elections next year have more local subsistence. Perhaps i might even stand as an independent candidate in my constituency?

The opposition should also work at getting more tangible programmes on the table. After all, SWAPO only needs to say we are the liberators and people vote for us????

Mie1

We.... whatever one's feelings: It's all over bar the shouting!

Viva SWAPO! Viva Namibia!

At least, next time around the ballot papers will not be so overcrowded ............

juikk

Mie1 You must be the only individual from the Media environment who thinks the ECN did a good J.O.B. All I hear so far are testimonials of delays, washing off of ink and a general consensus that the ECN is reportedly incompetent.

Interesting indeed. All parties that have any remote status of a counted opposition have had issues, lest the media reports are telling something other than the truth?

juikk

Funny enough, a majority of pre-election sentiments were not in favor of SWAPO in the South in particular, and am even suprised that Caprivi results point to an overwhelming support for the ruling party. Ordinarily I expected it to be a 50/50 situtation, considering the sad saga with the alleged and/or proven guilty(maybe not?) Secessionist issues in that region....leaves one wondering indeed...