Lahja Nashuuta
The Electoral Commission of Namibia has announced the termination of certificates and deregistration of three political parties and six political associations for infringing on the Electoral Act, and failing to inform the commission of their intention to remain registered.
There are 21 registered political parties with the ECN.
The chief electoral and referenda officer, Peter Shaama, said the commission has deregistered the Democratic Convention of Namibia (DCN), Federal Convention of Namibia party (FCN) and Namibia Democratic Movement for Change Party (Namibia-DMC) for not being politically active.
Also deregistered are the Otavi Residents Association, Local Community Association Mariental, Local Community Association Windhoek, Ada/Gui-senior citizens and Destitute Children’s Association, Omaruru Residents Association, and Concerned People’s Organisation Keetmanshoop.
Section 152 of the Electoral Act provides the ECN with the prerogative to cancel the registration of any political party, if at any time after its registration it failed to participate in and promote elections; if it failed to participate in and promote elections under the Act, which includes the nomination of a person as a candidate for election, the canvassing of votes for a candidate at that election, and devotion of any funds or any part thereof to the election on the expense of any candidate taking part in the election.
Shaama said these parties were not participating in elections, or were not functioning as per the requirement of the Electoral Act, pointing out that the last time some of the parties participated in the elections was 2004.
The authorised representatives, as appearing on ECN’s register of political parties and/or associations/organisations, are likewise not reachable on the telephone numbers and addresses provided to the ECN.
“A notice was placed in local newspapers, calling on the authorised representatives of the respective parties to contact the ECN, and to be heard before the decision was taken regarding deregistration. However, none of the institutions indicated their intention to remain on the register of parties.
It should be noted that it is a requirement of the Electoral Act that should a registered political party change its authorised representative, the electoral commission should be informed in writing of such a change,” he stressed.
Shaama emphasised that none of the authorised representatives appearing on the ECN register of political parties and associations contacted the ECN, and neither were any changes communicated to the commission.