NAMIBIA is on its marks, ready to GO on November 27 and 28 to elect a new President and Parliament. Once again, the country will walk this path resolute in its commitment towards democracy and rule by the people.

This is a classic example of a country that has chosen peace over war and progress over retrogression.

The November elections will make our democracy star shine brighter and testify to its maturity. It is for this very reason that all citizens that are imbued with the idealism of democracy step up to the plate and ensure that the elections in November do not disappoint.

We say this cognisant of the fact that Namibians have strength of character and the ability to run a race to the finish.

Sceptics hardly think we can pull this one through without being tainted and our democratic credentials being exposed to ridicule. There are those who worry that the November elections might be marred by violence - their fear anchored on skirmishes between party supporters during past political campaigns.

These cynics stand to lose face because their fears and wishes are not anything to write home about. They do not conform to the history of Namibians and repudiated they are by that history.

The peace-loving people of this great country will never spoil things for themselves because they know right from wrong and won their peace and freedom through great sacrifice. Namibians know how and when to get out of a tight corner. They are smart people and indeed very brave.

And that is why we think the coming elections will be no different from previous elections. The elections in November will be as peaceful as any other elections.

In 1989, the people of the land of the brave conquered occupation and won their country back albeit through an election that was full of great intrigue and manipulation.

But, sheer restraint and discipline saw them pull through those polls despite attempts to divide them and render the United Nations-supervised 435 process null and void.

Peace, respect and friendliness are defining features of this nation and no amount of provocation will drive Namibians to act in a manner that is in breach of their beliefs.

Add to that, the political will and resolve by ordinary citizens to uphold the rule of law and democracy.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba and other government leaders have on numerous occasions sounded caution against any acts of violence during the coming elections. So has the chief of the Namibian Police.

With the announcement of the election dates, the country is thus set on a journey to elect a President and Members of Parliament in a peaceful manner and we hope that all citizens will ensure that the period preceding and after the elections is not marred by incidents that could harm the electoral process.

Important also is the full participation of citizens in the elections. Democracy without full participation of citizens in the election process will remain hollow. All eligible voters should stream to the polls on November 27 and 28 to elect their government and thereby fulfil their national duty.

Political parties too have to do their part. They should not just address meetings and launch manifestos. It is presumptuous for political parties to ask the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to extend registration dates to enable many people to vote without them creating an enabling environment for people to stream to the polls. The parties have to excite the populace and arouse the interest of voters to partake in the polls.

Only they can do that.