RUNDU – Having ushered in the first democratic government after winning the first ever national democratic elections in 1989, thus ending colonial rule in Namibia, the ruling party Swapo says it will not have any problem handing over power should it lose this year’s national elections, provided that all electoral procedures were followed accordingly.
“Should we lose, we have to deal with the issue of principle first by respecting our constitution, laws and the will of the majority,” were the sentiments of the party’s Secretary General, Nangolo Mbumba, during an interview with New Era this week.
The African continent has experienced frequent politically motivated conflicts stemming from defeated political groups wanting to cling onto power forcefully after failing at the polls. Mbumba, however, says Namibians should not harbour such fears because the ruling party would by all means respect the will of the people and hand over power if required to do so.
“Whether we lose local, regional, national or by-elections, as long as the procedures have been followed and the electoral commission declares the results, we must respect the will of the people. We must deal with the issue of ‘principle’ first, hence, whether it is the ruling party or any other party that lost, fair is fair and the will of the people should prevail,” said Mbumba.
“This principle should apply at all times and it’s principles that all democratic states and institutions must respect regardless of who they may be,” Mbumba said.
However, the question is whether Swapo, which has been the ruling party uninterruptedly since independence, is facing a decline to the extent that the public can think of a possible new party winning the upcoming elections.
“It is unlikely that it will lose anytime soon because the party still commands formidable respect and has a huge chunk of followers,” said academic and political commentator Dr Hoze Riruako, adding that Swapo’s newly adopted constitution that dictates gender balance in the hierarchy and multi-tribal leadership composition within the party’s upper echelons are favoured by the electorate.
Executive Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, Graham Hopwood, is of the opinion that a democracy is only a democracy if a change of power achieved through the ballot box is possible. “Although the question [of Swapo losing the upcoming elections] may be theoretical in terms of the current Namibian political context, it is important. For this to happen there needs to the rule of law, a neutral and professional civil service, independent public institutions, such as the Electoral Commission, an independent judiciary, non-partisan security forces (army, police, and state intelligence), independent public (state-owned media) and perhaps most importantly political parties that are genuinely committed to democracy and therefore would accept a change in government as voted for by the people,” said Hopwood.
Riruako however contends that should Swapo lose “there will be chaos”. “I do not see a situation where Swapo will accept defeat and relegate itself to the backseat. I know of many liberation movements who will come up with excuses and all the tricks in the book to avoid defeat. You have never seen a situation where a liberation movement loses within the first 30 years of its rule,” he said, adding: “But I am certain it will not happen this year.”
Riruako’s only concern is the “apathy” factor. “You cannot appreciate the fact that many of the eligible voters still opt not to vote,” said a disappointed Riruako, pinning blame for the voting apathy primarily on what he describes as the country’s “weak opposition parties”. He feels the opposition parties are failing to provide voters with a credible alternative to Swapo.
“Our opposition parties are very weak, instead of working on ways to strongly oppose the ruling party, they instead want to be seen in bed with Swapo. Most eligible citizens also opt not to vote because they are comfortable with the Swapo leadership, while some feel that even if they do not vote Swapo will win anyway,” Riruako said.
Hopwood said Namibia has many of the pre-requisites for genuine democracy in place. However, there are still areas that need to be worked on.
These areas include “developing the independence of institutions like the Electoral Commission of Namibia, ensuring there is clear division between the ruling party and the State (the civil service), ensuring that the NBC is a non-partisan public broadcaster,” said Hopwood. He also stated that the process of power change also rests on the presence of political parties that have a democratic culture and are committed to democracy.
By Mathias Haufiku