WINDHOEK – The Namibian police will be willing to accord any political candidate a police escort to certain areas, provided that the person provides a clear justification for such an escort.
For now though the police are keeping a hawk’s eye on Ohangwena, Omusati and Khomas regions, which the Inspector General, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga says “tend to be the regions where most violent cases are found among supporters of parties”.
“I urge the citizenry of those regions to behave in accordance with the provision of the law,” Ndeitunga said in a wide-ranging interview with New Era ahead of political campaigns due to start in the coming weeks before the November elections.
“Some people say police must take [down certain] flags, we cannot involve ourselves in such things. People want the police to do things that are not within the mandate of the police. When parties have meetings they cannot be surrounded by the police, of course we will patrol the area, but people must [feel] free [at political meetings],” said Ndeitunga, adding that venues for political meetings should be according to the provisions of the Electoral Act that dictates a 500m distance between venues hosting different political meetings.
Meanwhile, Ndeitunga has urged the police to remain neutral when exercising their duties during the elections. “I urge police members to remain apolitical and they should at all times make sure that while on duty they do not act in a manner which shows their political allegiance. Our members should be objective and impartial and do their job without fear or favour,” he said.
Nampol is working closely with the Electoral Commission of Namibia to ensure safety during the elections and at the same time urged political parties to educate their members on how to conduct themselves.
“I would have been happy if all liquor outlets could close during the times when people vote, but of course this is how many of our people make their living so it is quite impossible. But I am urging people to remain sober during the polling days as well as at the rallies. By doing this they will be able to control themselves,” he said.
As for those candidates who wish to receive police escorts when visiting certain areas, Ndeitunga said:”We can provide escorts to any candidate provided that they justify why they need to be escorted. We will analyse and assess every case on its own merits. We will surely not escort those who merely wish to raise their status or those who possess self-created fear,” he said.
Although Nampol has been hit by a critical shortage of vehicles over the years, Ndeitunga said more vehicles would be procured before the elections.
“The vehicles will never be enough, but we have to work with what we have at our disposal.”
The biggest security fear during elections is clashes between supporters of political parties, Ndeitunga said.
“Clashes among party supporters is common during elections. It might start small but you never know where it might end. Those are the issues we want to avoid. If people chant their slogans in public areas, do not hinder them if you do not belong to their party because it is their democratic right to support political organisations of their choice,” he said, adding that there should be no such thing as a no-go area in any part of the country.
“Some people talk of no-go areas but there is no such thing in this country because only parliament and other decision-making bodies can take such decisions,” he said.