The wave of Independent Candidates (IC) participating in elections has once again gripped Namibia. From retired teachers and former civil servants to community leaders – all are vying for a piece of the political pie. It is therefore vital for one to pause as ask; why the high interest in people running as independents? 

Historically, Namibian politics have been dominated by party-affiliated candidates, with the electoral system designed primarily around party lists. However, the stage is now set for a more diversified field, allowing individuals not affiliated with any political party to contest in both national and provincial elections. 

Independent candidates represent a broad spectrum of society, offering voters alternatives beyond the traditional party lines. This inclusion aims to bring fresh perspectives to governance, encouraging a closer connection between elected officials and their constituencies. 

The ideological dispute between left and right has dominated the political discussion for decades in multiple countries across the globe. However, in recent years people vs. elite debates have replaced traditional ideological conflicts in explaining voters’ electoral decisions. 

ICs are widely believed to influence the quality of representation through issues as fundamental to democracy as government accountability, responsiveness, and electoral turnout. Their impact, however, hinges on their electoral strength, which varies widely within and across countries. 

In Namibia, the winning candidate must attain at least 51% of the vote. The influx of independent candidates means more mouths nearing the cake for a bite. And with this, only the fittest will survive. 

So, what is the role of independent candidates? Partly, there is the question of freedom — not to belong to a party. Another objective is to give people the possibility of participating in the governance of the country without being restricted by the limited imaginations of others, and on the basis of one’s own moral choices, which could be offered to the electorate. 

It may be that in some communities concerns are more local, and people would rather have a representative whose commitment is to those concerns rather than to a national party. 

An individual might want to run on a platform supporting the interests of certain groups identified by religion, language, or region. This would be all right, provided he or she did not stir up hatred or promote unreasonable discrimination, which will of cause be unconstitutional. 

In reality, it has proved hard to stand as an independent camdidate and while there are far more people standing technically as independents, many might be disappointed aspirants rejected by their previous parties. 

Critics argue that this reality is indicative of much that is wrong with the party system. There is no party loyalty. Parties are not about principles or policies but about personal advantage of those wishing to stand for other offices. 

People wishing to stand as genuine independents have found it hard. The electors do not seem to understand the idea. The electorate does not think of parties in terms of ideas. 

Their suspicion of independents seems to be linked to a desire to know to which segment of society a candidate has attached him or her-self —for that is what joining a party mostly means. 

It is hopwever not nall doom and gloom for Ics, as elsewhere around the world they have performed well; in 2022, Rodolfo Hernandez ran as an independent in Colombia and almost won the election in the second round, obtaining 47% of the votes. In 2016, Patrice Talon, an independent businessman, was elected president of Benin by defeating the incumbent prime minister. 

In 2018, the independent Salome Zourabichvili was elected the first woman president of Georgia. 

This political transformation is happening in a context of a decline in party identification, erosion of party brands, reduction of party system institutionalisation, and an increase in alienation from the party system. 

Surely, we are in serious need of people whose motivation to join politics is not just to attach themselves to leaders, and to “eat”, but people able and willing to use their own judgment and work for a better Namibia. 

For many people who have much to offer in the public service of being a legislator, most parties are more of an obstacle than a support. Genuinely independent members of Parliament or county assemblies might offer a breath of political fresh air.