Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The planned protest by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has been described as premature given that the electoral court is still processing the case.
The IPC planned to stage a protest on 15 January against the irregularities in the November 2024 presidential and National Assembly election process.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the case’s status hearing for 3 February.
Political analyst Sacky Johannes expressed concerns about the timing of the protest, suggesting that it is premature given that the electoral court is still processing the case.
“Why are they demonstrating while we have no results on something that’s in the court’s hands? It is premature because they were supposed to wait and get results out, and then if the result did not favour them, they can then demonstrate,” he said.
Johannes added that the protest risks confusing IPC supporters and shows a lack of political maturity.
“I think they’re kind of causing confusion, because if they have a case that’s already there, being processed by the electoral court,” he said.
He also warned that the protest might disrupt the court’s proceedings, which could undermine the integrity of the judicial system.
Another political analyst, Ndumba Kamwanyah, acknowledged the democratic right to protest but agreed the IPC’s move was ill-timed.
“Demonstrations are part of our democratic culture and rights as long as it’s done in a peaceful manner. But it is a premature action, and they were supposed to wait until the court pronounces itself, and then maybe they can resort to another alternative,” Kamwanyah said.
The legal battle stems from IPC’s claims of voter suppression and irregularities during the November 2024 National Assembly and Presidential Elections, which they argue undermined the electoral process.
SWAPO has opposed the IPC’s application, maintaining that the elections were conducted in substantial compliance with the law.
The party argued that any alleged irregularities were insufficient to alter the outcome of the elections.
The ruling party has also requested the court to dismiss the IPC’s application, seeking punitive costs on an attorney-and-own-client scale.
Meanwhile, the IPC has enlisted international law advocate Anton Katz as its defence attorney.
Efforts to reach IPC for comment remained futile by the time of publication.
Last year IPC decided to withhold media comments about the electoral process until 30 January.
