The APRM Panel of Eminent Person Chairperson, Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza led the 45-person AU election observation mission delegated to observe the elections in Namibia. The elections which took place on 28 November 2014 were the first on the African continent to use an electronic voting system.

The African Union (AU) election observation mission to Namibia said the elections expressed the will of Namibian voters.

“The elections were conducted in compliance with national laws of the country and in line with its international obligations. They were conducted in a manner that allowed Namibians to express their will freely and in a credible and transparent manner,” said APRM Panel Chair and Head of Mission, Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza.
Amb. Ndangiza also applauded Namibia for taking “an innovative and bold step” in adopting the use of the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Amb. Ndangiza also took note of challenges that a national rollout of the usage of EVMs may entail.

The APRM Panel Chairperson noted the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) should in future elections ensure the training of staff on the use of technology in elections is continuous.

This, she said, would “improve their ability to operate the equipment.”

She added that in 15 percent of the observed polling stations visited by the AU election observation mission, voting stopped at least once because of technical issues with the use of the voter verification of the EVM system.“These issues delayed counting in some stations by up to one hour, but is some cases were resolved quickly. In all cases, normal voting resumed after the issue was resolved,” she said.

The South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), won the election is a landslide victory.