Rudolf Gaiseb
The commotion in which the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) finds itself and which has brought its credibility into question, is self-created.
This is the view of disgruntled opposition political parties and commentators.
The ECN has courted controversy lately, and is under fire over awarding South African firm Ren-Form CC a contract to print ballot papers for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The commission made the announcement about hiring Ren-Form CC on Friday.
Unfazed by the noise this raised, yesterday they sent a delegation to South Africa to observe the process.
“I want to inform you that the delegation travelling to Johannesburg, South Africa to observe the design, layout, production, printing and packaging of ballot papers will be departing today [yesterday] at 14h30. The delegation includes authorised representatives of political parties and staff from the ECN,” their spokesperson De Wet Siluka said on the commission’s official WhatsApp group for journalists yesterday.
At the time of going to print, the commission had not made public which political parties had representatives in the delegation to South Africa.
However, political commentators argue that the emergency pose that ECN has turned this into is simply a result of their incompetence, stating that they had five years to find a suitable printer, instead of handpicking a suspicious company.
“The ECN knew there would be an election this year. They knew the election was scheduled, and proclaimed it to be on 27 November. The ECN knew they had to print ballot papers for the purposes of this election. They had all the time in the world to prepare for the elections, and to ensure that the processes that lead to the printing of ballot papers are followed, and the bidding processes were done in good time.
It is just not excusable that the ECN wants to say it’s an emergency. It can never be an emergency if we all knew since time immemorial that there would be an election.
They should just own up to their mistake, and should include the political parties in the decision as to who the company should be, and who would print these ballot papers.
It can never be done like this. It speaks to the political parties, and will be justified in the allegations that it is a deliberate ploy by the ECN to be able to leave it this late, and then provide it to a shady company that has questionable credentials. It’s highly irresponsible,” lawyer and political commentator Natjirikasorua Tjirera said yesterday.
“I think, like in any good country, the commissioners of the ECN should resign. Whoever is responsible for this mess should resign. They have proven themselves to be highly incompetent. You cannot just make a mistake like that on an important aspect like elections. You just cannot do that,” he fumed.
Threats
Some parties have threatened to take the ECN to court over the matter, while others are planning national demonstrations.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) formally registered its objection to the awarding of the tender.
“Ren-Form CC is an entity tainted by corruption and controversy, as it is currently under investigation for the inflation of prices by over 400% for election-related materials and equipment for the 2023 general elections in Zimbabwe. The ECN has subsequently awarded this company a similar tender, regardless of the current investigation underway by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zimbabwe,” PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said.
The PDM reportedly withdrew its authorised representative from observing the production, printing and packaging of election materials by Ren-Form CC, and said it will hold a demonstration in protest tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) has demanded full public disclosure of all documents relating to the procurement of Ren-Form.
“The IPC condemns, in the strongest terms, the appointment of South African firm Ren-Form CC to print the ballot papers for the upcoming Namibian elections. The hand-picking 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,” party spokesperson Imms Nashinge stated.
Also protesting the process are the red berets, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF).
Deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu said: “We hereby warn the masses of our people that this is a deliberate attempt by the ECN and Swapo to rig the upcoming elections through a flawed and compromised tendering process. The Namibian people must rise and reject this betrayal of our democracy, as corrupt networks from Zimbabwe and South Africa attempt to interfere in our sovereign electoral process”.
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM), through its lawyers, said: “We refer to the invitation for bid number NC/OIB/28-01/2024/25 with a closing deadline of 9 October 2024 issued by the Electoral Commission of Namibia. Our instructions are that the ECN cancelled the invitation on 7 October 2024, two days before the closing date. On 17 October 2024, the ECN issued a media statement, and reported that “following a comprehensive evaluation process, Ren-Form CC, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, was identified as the most responsive bidder, according to the established bidding specifications. We hold instructions to request the ECN for reasons for its decision to withdraw the bid taken on 7 October 2024; and for its decision to award the bid to Ren-Form CC. Kindly provide your written reasons within seven days.”
Contacted for comment yesterday, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa seemingly called out some political actors for double standards.
She questioned why although they are refusing the ECN’s choice, political parties are part of the delegation which travelled to South Africa to observe the printing process.
“Why are they going if they have rejected? Why are they part and parcel of the delegation of the ECN if they have rejected? Hypocrites,” she charged.
Above Board
Despite the lashing over the award, the ECN maintains everything is beyond reproach.
“The ECN unequivocally refutes the malicious and baseless allegations being circulated regarding the award of the contract for the procurement of ballot papers for the November 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections, as announced on 17 October 2024.
“As the election season unfolds, we note the deliberate spread of misinformation, aimed at creating confusion and sowing distrust. The commission firmly asserts that our procurement processes are fully transparent and compliant with all relevant legal frameworks. The commission is fully-committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability, as mandated by our constitutional duty to safeguard free and fair elections,” Siluka said.
He added that the decision to award the contract to Ren-Form CC was made following a thorough and rigorous evaluation process which adhered to the laws governing procurement.
“To be clear and set the record straight: the total cost of this contract is N$6 259 686 – far from the grossly-inflated and fictitious figure of N$1 billion being circulated in certain media reports,” he stated.
The commission, stating that there is no evidence to substantiate any claims of corruption or misconduct in this process, challenged any party or individual possessing concrete evidence of wrongdoing to present it through the appropriate channels.
Although the commission endorsed the firm, it is alleged that the Zimbabwean Anti-Corruption Commission, including its media, confirmed their investigation into the company.