Electoral Commission of Namibia

NEFF restored as a political party

NEFF restored as a political party

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) have regained their political status. This comes after the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced that it will comply with the High Court's decision on Monday. The High Court at the beginning of September found that the ECN’s decision to deregister the NEFF was unlawful. ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said the commission extended NEFF time to ensure compliance with all outstanding items, failing which it will set in motion the process to invoke the provisions of Section 158(8)(a)1, viz., the suspension of funds appropriated by parliament on account of failure to…
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APP not interested in 96 parliamentary seats

APP not interested in 96 parliamentary seats

Stefanus Nashama Unlike other political parties, the All People’s Party (APP) has only nominated 50 people for parliament. Last Wednesday, the party released a list of only 50 candidates, whereas other parties have 96. The party’s leader, Ambrosius Kumbwa, told the Windhoek Observer last week that there is no need for a complete list since no political party has obtained 96 seats in parliament before. "We are not interested in 96 seats." No one has managed to get so many seats before, not even the Swapo, which used to have the majority,” he said. Kumbwa attributed his reasoning to the…
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Shipwiikineni urges lawyers to defend social justice

Shipwiikineni urges lawyers to defend social justice

Martin Endjala Swapo member Reinhold Shipwiikineni has urged lawyers to stand firm in the pursuit of social justice and not abandon clients. Shipwiikineni's call follows the withdrawal of a letter to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) by its Ondangwa-based legal representative, Nicky Ngula Attorneys, without consulting them. Shipwiikineni, Joshua Vaino Martins, Petrus Ndeshipanda Shituula, Erich Chrismann Shivute, and Aina Kalimba Angula allege that the Swapo party central committee's nomination of Nandi-Ndaitwah as presidential candidate is invalid because it violates Article 15(9) of the party's constitution. Ngula withdrew the group’s request to the ECN to not allow Vice President Netumbo…
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Moses //Garoëb by-election SRV next week

Moses //Garoëb by-election SRV next week

Martin Endjala The Electoral Commission of Namibia has announced that preparations are being made for the upcoming by-elections for the Moses //Garoëb Constituency in the Khomas Region scheduled for 6 January 2023. The Supplementary Registration of Voters (SRV) will start on 31 October until 2nd of November. The by-election is to fill the vacancy following the death of councillor Aili Venyona on 9 October. The purpose of an SRV before holding of an election is to include in the voters’ register persons who have since turned 18 years of age after the last registration and those who have moved from…
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Swapo wants Ndonga Linena re-election

Swapo wants Ndonga Linena re-election

Eba Kandovazu THE Chief Electoral Officer at the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Theo Mujoro, says the ECN will comply with the Electoral Court’s order to recount the votes cast in the Ndonga Linena Constituency during the 2020 Regional and Local Authorities Elections. Responding to Windhoek Observer’s queries, following Swapo’s threat to boycott the recount, Mujoro says logistical arrangements are currently being put in place to ensure a transparent and credible recount process in line with the court order. “We have noted the press release issued by the Swapo Party touching on a number of issues. A comprehensive response will…
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Electoral Court nullifies Ndonga Linena election results

Electoral Court nullifies Ndonga Linena election results

Eba Kandovazu THE Electoral Court rules that the results of the 2020 Regional and Local Authorities Elections in the Ndonga Linena constituency in the Kavango East region, are null and void and the Electoral Commission of Namibia must do a recount of the votes. The ruling, made by a full bench consisting of Deputy Judge President, Hosea Angula, Esi Schimming-Chase and Orben Sibeya, also sets aside the swearing in of Swapo Party candidate, Michael Kampota, who was declared the winner. Kampota had 12 more votes than the All People's Party (APP)’s candidate, Daniel Djami. The two received 1073 votes and…
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ECN finally calls Shalli to order

ECN finally calls Shalli to order

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia, (ECN) has at last called out retired Lieutenant General of the army Martin Shalli after his comments about ‘cutting throats of Swapo party defectors’ drew widespread criticism. This comes as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Vice-President Jennifer Van Den Heever laid a criminal charge at the Windhoek Police Station against retired Major-General. Shalli made these comments while campaigning for Swapo in Okahandja on Saturday 7 November. “The ECN has noted with concern a video clip circulated on various media platforms where one of the leaders of the Swapo party, RT Lieutenant General Martin Shalli…
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ECN appeals PDM list ruling

ECN appeals PDM list ruling

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has on Tuesday appealed the High Court’s ruling on the amendment of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentary list. This comes after ECN boss Theo Mujoro previously told Windhoek Observer that the commission did nothing wrong. Government Attorney, Mati Asino, who represents the ECN, confirmed the decision to appeal the ruling. “Our client gave us instructions to appeal because they strongly feel that they have good prospect of success. We are not just appealing for the sake of appealing, there’s good reason why, and those will be presented in court,” he told…
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Job vs Swapo is not the point . . . inclusive democracy is

The new normal could mean a serious reconsideration of proportional representation in Parliament and an end to parties making decisions about who represents people locally. Affirmative Repositioning (AR) has registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia in time for the upcoming 2020 local authority and regional council elections. AR co-leader Job Amupanda has had long-stated aspirations to be the Mayor of the City of Windhoek. The stage has been set for an exercise in inclusive democracy that is long overdue in Namibia. Namibian politics has shifted significantly from where things were in March 1990. The world has altered remarkably since…
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