Stefanus Nashama
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to clarify allegations surrounding the reopening of ballot boxes at ECN warehouses across the country.
IPC polling agents reported such activities in the Khomas and Erongo regions, which prompted concerns from the party.
Christine !Aochamus, the IPC’s national general secretary, raised the issue in a letter to Peter Shaama, the chief electoral and referenda officer of the ECN, on Tuesday.
“We have received reports from IPC polling agents from various regions across the country that they are being called by ECN presiding officers to present themselves at ECN warehouses and/or at police stations for the reopening of ballot boxes,” she said.
The IPC questioned the origin of these directives and sought an explanation for reopening ballot boxes after the election’s conclusion.
The party described such actions as “inappropriate and possibly illegal.”
!Aochamus added that the IPC had collected the names and contact details of officials allegedly involved in making these requests and confirmed their authenticity.
“I am hereby also taking the liberty to inform you that we have the names and telephone numbers of the officers who have been making these calls and have confirmed the authenticity of the same,” !Aochamus said.
The IPC has taken further steps to address its concerns.
On Monday, the party filed an urgent application with the Electoral Court at the High Court to inspect materials used in the 2024 elections.
This legal action forms part of the IPC’s efforts to challenge the election results and potentially seek their nullification.
Imms Nashinge, the IPC spokesperson, was unsure whether the ECN had responded to the party’s concerns.
“I am not sure if they have responded or not,” he said.
Attempts to obtain comments from Shaama and ECN spokesperson DeWet Mulauli were unsuccessful.
