The issuing of duplicate voter cards in Keetmanshoop commenced today, but the election official said the process is already off to a slow start.

The process which started today ends on the 23rd of November.

The duplicate issuing commenced at the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency Office, and the Electoral Commission of Namibia's Returning Officer for Keetmanshoop, Joy-Anne Hartung, said the process was slow.

"We opened on time at 08h00 in the morning, and it was very quiet, and around 10h00 we issued the first duplicate, and between 11h00 and 12h00, the second one, and just around 13h00, the third voter came and filed for a duplicate card."

Hartung said people from other towns and constituencies also showed up, and she had to explain the purpose and process of the duplicates.

"There were people from the Hardap Region, and we explained to them that this is not supplementary registration and that duplicate cards are only issued to voters whose cards were stolen, lost or destroyed in incidents such as house fires, but they must present a police declaration before being assisted, and that it's only for people from Keetmanshoop Urban and Local Authority."

Hartung said she is not discouraged by the slow first day, noting that voters are usually slow to show up on the first day of duplicate issuing.