Allexer Namundjembo
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani has accused the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) of choosing a corrupt entity, the Ren-Form CC, to print ballot papers for the November elections.
The party handed over a petition to the ECN chief referenda Peter Shaama on Tuesday.
Venaani said the ECN selected a company tainted with severe corruption allegations during the 2023 general elections in Zimbabwe.
“The amount of money involved in these accusations is over N$800 million, and the company is under investigation by Zimbabwe and the South African authorities,” Venaani said.
Venaani stated that Wicknell Chivayo, a businessman associated with Ren-Form CC, inflates tender prices in Zimbabwe.
“The ECN opted for Ren-Form CC to print and handle election materials despite these allegations. The ECN is putting our democracy at stake, and the ECN failed to conduct the most due diligence before the tender was awarded.
“This clearly indicates the Commission’s irresponsible and deeply flawed decision-making. This level of negligence is not only an insult to the Namibian people but also to public trust,” Venaani added.
The party demanded immediate termination of the contract.
“The ECN must retract the contract without any delays and seek a reputable, non-corrupt, tainted firm to restore the trust,” Venaani added.
The party demands an investigation into how the ECN awarded this tender to Ren-Form.
Venaani said he would consult the party lawyers as he plans to take the matter to court.
He accused the ECN of corruption.
“Mr referenda officer, every step that you take be cautious of maintaining peace, stability, free and fair elections. This place (ECN) has lost integrity,” he said.
He questioned why the ECN did not approach Namibian companies to print the ballot papers.
Julia Nekwaya, the secretary of the PDM Youth League, said although ECN knew it would print ballot papers, it did not prepare adequately to avoid rushing to find a contractor.
“The ECN is now in a rush to find a contractor, to the point of appointing a corrupt, tainted firm, which is being investigated. We have first-time voters; what trust are you giving these young people voting for the first time?” Nekwaya asked.
Shaama received the petition on behalf of the ECN and promised to take it to the relevant authorities.
He walked away when journalists attempted to question him about who the relevant authorities are.
