WINDHOEK – Prime Minister Hage Geingob has urged the police to be on alert day and night to ensure that the upcoming general elections are free, fair and peaceful.
“The occurrence of incidents of violence during the election anywhere in Namibia will be a source of concern to all of us,” said Geingob, who on Sunday was officially announced as Swapo’s presidential candidate for this year’s election in November.
“With every incident of violence, the sense of security and safety in our communities is compromised,” the PM said.
“With every incident of violence, our ability to uphold the privilege of our society as laid down in our constitution and creating a favourable business and investment environment is undermined.”
“In other words,” warned the PM, “uncontrolled levels of crime can threaten to reverse the progress that we have made in building a peaceful country.”
Geingob said elections generally have their own characteristics, which make them a potential source of insecurity, conflict and instability for democratic systems if not well managed.
“The issue of ensuring that we maintain security within our borders during the election process will require vigilance at all stages of the electoral process,” he said.
Geingob says Namibia will need to develop an effective strategy for both the pre-electoral and post-electoral phases of the upcoming elections.
“This strategy should call upon the Namibian police force and other law enforcement agencies to work in unison in identifying and confronting all threats to the process,” he added.
He said for policemen and women to maintain law and order before, throughout and after the election, special attention should be given to challenges such as controlling election-related violence, keeping law and order such that people do not take advantage of the election period to commit crime, to fully understanding the electoral laws and the electoral process, protecting electoral material and property and remaining impartial while executing their duties.
Geingob also used the opportunity to join President Hifikepunye Pohamba in appealing to all political parties and their followers to make sure that the upcoming elections are free, fair and peaceful.
“Let us join hands to create a safer roadmap for our society to participate in the election without fear of violence,” he said.
“Let us uphold our enviable democracy and continue to be an exemplar of peace and stability,” he added.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the opening of the two-day Senior Command Workshop on Maintenance of Law and Order, and Crime Combating during Elections which started in the capital yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Namibian Police have invited all leaders of political parties attending a meeting scheduled for tomorrow to further ensure “a free, fair and non-violent Presidential and National Assembly Elections.”