Martin Endjala
Several political parties have raised concerns regarding the N$6.2 million tender award to Ren-Form CC, a South African-based company to design and print ballot papers for the National Assembly and Presidential elections.
The company is expected to print 1.6 million ballot papers inclusive of the 10% contingency.
This would amount to N$3.90 per ballot paper.
The tender was awarded on 17 October.
However, on 7 October, two days before the deadline, the commission cancelled the tender.
It is not clear which procurement method was applied to select Ren-Formas as a successful bidder.
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM), through its lawyers, Weder Kauta and Hoveka law firm, last Friday instructed the ECN to provide answers on the decision to award the tender to Rent-Form.
“We hold instructions to request the ECN reasons for its decision to withdraw the bid taken on 7 October 2024 and for its decision to award the bid the REN-Form CC,” reads the letter.
LPM has given the commission till Friday to respond.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), through its lawyers Theunisen, Low and Vennote Partners, objected to the appointment of Ren-Form, citing the company’s connection to controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivhayo.
“Given the exploits of Mr Chivhayo and his alleged connections to corrupt dealings as reported in the media, our client is concerned that the integrity and credibility of the election process in the Presidential and National Assembly elections would be undermined and tainted by the appointment of the supplier,” said the party.
Ren-Form has experience with Namibian elections, having won the contract to print the local authority and regional council elections in 2010.
Another South African company, Uniprint, won the same job in 2020.
Independent Patriots for Change’s (IPC) Immanuel Nashinge has also condemned the awarding of the tender.
“The handpicking of this firm is the result of the ECN’s refusal to follow standard procurement procedures, based on “urgency,” which the ECN has no doubt created itself,” he said.
The IPC has demanded full, public disclosure of all documents relating to the procurement process.
The party has also called on the Anti-Corruption Commission and the media to conduct investigations into the controversial appointment of Ren-Form.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) deputy leader, Kalimbo Iipumbu, warned that the decision is not only unjustifiable but suspicious.
The party is also requesting a postponement of the elections until they can guarantee a credible, transparent, and free election.
“We demand a postponement of the current election date. Accountability and transparency from the ECN. The ECN must explain its abrupt change in process and provide evidence that it is acting independently, without interference from foreign entities or corrupt influences,” he stated.
Iipumbu warned that failure to comply with their demands would be met by national demonstrations.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa denied claims by opposition parties of being in cahoots with the ECN.
Shaningwa said her party is not involved in the ECN’s affairs.
The chief electoral and referenda officer of the ECN, Peter Shaama, refuted the allegations of corruption.
He terms the sentiments of the political parties as malicious and baseless.
“These allegations, intended to discredit the commission and undermine public confidence in the electoral process, are false and misleading,” said Shaama.
According to him, the claims are made to cast a shadow on the integrity of Namibia’s electoral system.
Shaama said the ECN adhered to all procurement processes as per the Procurement Act No. 15 of 2015 as amended.
According to Shaama, Ren-Form boasts a solid track record of printing ballot papers for over 70 elections on the continent in the past 20 years.
He said that a thorough and rigorous evaluation process that complied with procurement laws led to the decision to award the contract to Ren-Form CC.
Factors considered included compliance with technical requirements, cost-effectiveness, reliability, and the ability to meet strict timelines.
“We wish to categorically state that there is no evidence whatsoever to substantiate any claims of corruption or misconduct in this process.,” he pointed out.
Shaama called on political parties to present evidence of any wrongdoing through the appropriate channels.
On Sunday, a delegate from 18 political parties accompanied the ECN to Johannesburg to supervise the ballot printing process.
They are the Action Democratic Movement, Affirmative Repositioning, All People’s Party, Body of Christ, Congress of Democrats, Independent Patriots for Change, Landless People’s Movement, Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters, National Democratic Party of Namibia, National Empowerment Fighting Corruption, National Patriotic Front of Namibia, National Unity Democratic Organization of Namibia, Rally for Democracy and Progress, SWANU of Namibia, SWAPO Party of Namibia, United Democratic Front of Namibia, United Namibians Party, and United People’s Movement.
The Christian Democratic Voice Party, Republican Party of Namibia and PDM withdrew from the trip.
