First-time voters have mixed feelings about 2019 election

By Aina Raiza Kweyo

THE 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections are fast approaching and many first-time voters will have the right and be part of the change they want to see. Many first-time voters are clear that voting is important for the health of democracy but is also a civic duty that every citizen should participate in.

Confidente spoke to some prospective first-time voters in the Khomas region to find out their views on the importance of participating in elections.

Albertina Nekongo (20)

“I wanted to vote but I did not get the voters card, when I went to go register, I was told the machines were not working”.

David Mirjam (20)

“I really wanted to vote cause that’s the only voice I have but the voters card registration crew did not come to our campus, the Hage Geingob campus”.

Tepa Richard M (20)

“No, I don’t have a voter card so I won’t be voting”

Benisia Nehunga (19)

“I don’t really know how I feel. You can’t really complain if you haven’t voted. Your vote is your voice but also we have a moral obligation to vote even though you know that your vote won’t change any”.

Sarafina Shimuningeni (19)

“A lot is going on in our country right now and I am passionate about current affairs and development, to show that we want to change we should vote”

Willie (20)

“I think election here in Namibia is just protocol, I could vote if there was change. It has been 29 years of no change, so I am not voting”.

Kasuto Karikurupisa (18)

“Apparently voting is very important …parties use propaganda to make false promises, some parties use government to campaign and others for personal use. Voting is a no from me”

Hertha Ashipala (18)

“I don’t see the point of voting I find it useless because the same parties keep winning. Its either things don’t change or they keep getting worse.”

Jason Kasuto (20)

“I don’t think my vote will make a difference. SWAPO has been in power for so long even if we the youth vote, the party we vote for won’t make up the difference to overrule SWAPO.  Why should we vote if the same government is struggling to pay our tuition fee? We had to strike for something to happen.”