Martin Endjala
Swapo Party MPs have vehemently rejected claims by the Popular Democratic Movement’s Vipuakuje Muharukua that the party distributed food parcels for the community ahead of the Ncamagoro constituency by-election in December 2022
Muharukua made the comment during the submission of the Performance Assessment and Post-
Election Report for the Ncamagoro Constituency by-election, which was held on 17th December 2021.
The by-election saw Swapo emerging victorious, which according to the PDM MP was as a result of food that was donated in the constituency during the election campaign for the by-election.
However, Swapo MP and Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Emma Teofelus rejected the allegations and advised Muharukua to make allegations backed by evidence.
While agreeing with the opposition MP that a continues voter registration be carried out as recommended by the report.
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Albert Kawana said “the allegations made by the MP are unfounded, as Namibia is one of the best countries in Africa where elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent and credible manner”.
The performance assessment report seeking for consideration and approval by the National Assembly indicates that the by-election was conducted on the 17th December 2021 in a calm and peaceful environment, where a total of 1268 votes were cast and 15 ballot papers rejected.
Rengi Thomas Kavau of the Swapo Party was declared as duly elected on the 18th of December 2021.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Kletus Karondo told parliament that notwithstanding the successful conduct of the by-election, there were minor technical and logistical challenges reported.
Among the issues identified was the Voter Verification Devices (VVDs), which are said to have performed at a slow rate and a breakdown of one of the polling teams’ vehicles, resulting in a slight delay in the announcement of the results.
In addition, a relatively low voter turnout of 33.6% was recorded.
