Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) said the Namibia Electoral Commission (ECN) is deliberately delaying pronouncing itself on the court judgement to shortchange and undermine NEFF mobilisation efforts ahead of national elections in November.
NEFF deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said that Namibians must be alerted that the country is not ready for elections when a significant constituency is being denied the right to vote for a party of their choice.
‘’This move is tactically benefiting a few political parties, chiefly the Swapo party, which has been the invisible third force behind our de-registration. This delay is not merely bureaucratic; it is a calculated act that has denied our leadership the right to serve in Parliament and hinders our ability to campaign effectively,” he said.
Iipumbu accused the ECN of wanting to punish the NEFF, which he said is against the foundational principles of democracy.
The Electoral Commissions Forum of Southern Africa Development Community countries assessed ECN’s readiness to conduct free and fair elections and gave it the go-ahead.
“It is tragic that the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries has failed to recognise this and proceeded to declare that Namibia is ready for elections,’’ asserted Iipumbu.
He added that ECN’s inaction has left the party without access to vital financial resources essential for organising election campaigns and launching a manifesto.
The ECN spent over two weeks studying the verdict.
‘’The commission acted contrary to the noble legal opinion of the Attorney General and embarrassed itself by proceeding to erroneously deregister the NEFF. It is absurd that such a clear judgement from the court, which aligns with the opinion of the Attorney General, should take so long to execute in the interest of our democracy,” he said.
According to Iipumbu, injustice is what is happening to his party, which attacks the heart of Namibian democracy.
He warned the observers in the SADC region to recognize that any unfair treatment of a political party directly jeopardizes the integrity of the entire electoral process.
Last week, ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka told this publication that the commission is still studying the court judgement.
