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2007 Assessment

Namibia: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Namibia: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	83
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	90

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Articles 17 (2 and 3) and 28 (2), Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, [ LINK ]

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Articles 29 (1a), 46 (1a), 50, 70(1), Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, [ LINK ]

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Kaapama P., 2004, Preconditions for Free and Fair Elections: A Namibian Country Study, in Minnie J. (ed), Outside the Ballot Box: Preconditions for Elections in Southern Africa, Windhoek, Media Institute for Southern Africa

Tjombe N., Director, Legal Assistance Centre, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek Jauch H., Head: Research and Education, Labour Research & Resources Institute, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek

Maamberua U., Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, University of Namibia; previously he served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, President of SWANU (a political party) Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, Windhoek

Peer Review Comments: They can in theory, but in practice some do not vote.

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments:

Tjombe N., Director, Legal Assistance Centre, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek Jauch H., Head: Research and Education, Labour Research & Resources Institute, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments:

Tjombe N., Director, Legal Assistance Centre, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek Jauch H., Head: Research and Education, Labour Research & Resources Institute, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 17 (1), Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, [ LINK ]

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Articles 17 (2) and 28 (3), Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, [ LINK ]

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments:

Tjombe N., Director, Legal Assistance Centre, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek Jauch H., Head: Research and Education, Labour Research & Resources Institute, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek

Peer Review Comments: Not everyone has the means to do this.

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments:

Tjombe N., Director, Legal Assistance Centre, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek Jauch H., Head: Research and Education, Labour Research & Resources Institute, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments:

References: Website of the National Assembly, [ LINK ]

Kaapama P., 2004, Preconditions for Free and Fair Elections: A Namibian Country Study, in Minnie J. (ed), Outside the Ballot Box: Preconditions for Elections in Southern Africa, Windhoek, Media Institute for Southern Africa

Tjombe N., Director, Legal Assistance Centre, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek Jauch H., Head: Research and Education, Labour Research & Resources Institute, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, Windhoek