ONGWEDIVA – The Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) has come out all guns blazing against the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) after a campaign banner for Swapo was found pasted on the wall of the electoral body’s temporary office in Ohangwena Region.
The RDP is now accusing the ECN of favouring the ruling party, further claiming the electoral body is a tool to sabotage elections in the country.
This follows the discovery of the poster with a ‘Vote for Swapo’ message displayed on the wall of the boardroom where the ECN’s returning officer for the upcoming Endola by-election is operating from.
The poster shows a picture of the former Swapo councillor Ruth Nhinda and not Ferdinand Shifidi, the party’s new candidate for next month’s by-election. Nhinda died in August, prompting the need for the by-election.
The RDP which on Monday had gone to register their candidate to contest the by-election now questions whether Namibia will facilitate free, fair and credible elections.
“What does this tell the Namibian people about ECN administering elections? Will Namibia ever have a level playing field to facilitate free, fair and credible elections if ECN is operating in a biased manner like this?” questioned the RDP director of administration Hidipohamba Sheuyange.
Sheuyange said that what transpired at Endola is an indication that ECN is not fair. “If that was an RDP poster they would have reacted differently, but since it’s Swapo – they think Swapo owns the whole Namibia , including where ECN is operating from,” said Sheuyange.
He claimed that is negligence from the ECN’s side although the returning officer acted surprised when she was questioned about the poster.
Sheuyange , however, said that what transpired is not acceptable. “I don’t think blind people are employed as returning officers,” said Sheuyange.
Meanwhile, the ECN returning officer Kerthu Shipoke acknowledged that the concern was genuine and apologized for any inconvenience caused. Shipoke said she was not aware of the poster on the notice board. “We did not take notice [of the placard],” said Shipoke.
Meanwhile, Shipoke confirmed yesterday that three parties had tendered candidates for the Endola by-election. They are Shifidi (Swapo), Hafeni Pius (RDP) and Venda Denis Kahangu for CoD.