Sostenus Wilherm
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) will approach the High Court to challenge the recommendation and approval of Gerson Sindano as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), accusing the Swapo Party and United Democratic Front (UDF) of violating the Constitution and Electoral Act.
In a statement issued on Thursday, AR parliamentary caucus Chief Whip Vaino Hangula said the party’s objection was not against Sindano personally, but against the process used to appoint him.
Hangula said AR members of parliament were denied access to records relating to the recommendation and appointment of ECN commissioners and the chairperson, while another MP, Pohamba Shifeta was allegedly given unrestricted access.
He also questioned Sindano’s nine-month term, arguing that it is inconsistent with the Constitution’s prescribed five-year term.
“The appointment of Sindano as chairperson for a truncated term of nine months is inconsistent with the constitutional term of five years,” Hangula said.
He further accused the Selection Committee, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Swapo Party and UDF of undermining the independence of the ECN.
“This corrupt arrangement by SWAPO and UDF has effectively relocated the ECN headquarters to the SWAPO headquarters,” Hangula claimed.
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