Katima Mulilo
President of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Lukato Martin Lukato has accused the Law Reform and Development Commission (LRDC) of having sidelined a funding proposal made by smaller political parties.
The proposal for an improved system was made during consultations on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Lukato says. The NDP leader said during the initial stage of consultations all political parties were involved and they had suggested equal funding for political parties, but later learned that the said proposal was scrapped when the Bill was endorsed.
Lukato contends that this has prevented some political parties from participating fully in the upcoming regional and local authority elections. He attributes non or partial participation in the upcoming elections to financial constraints. The NDP party will only contest local authority elections in the Zambezi Region and not the regional elections.
“The law reform commission and Sacky Shangala undermined NDP and other smaller parties that are not in parliament. The bill was supposed to be studied by all political parties, which are officially registered, and not just those with seats in parliament. We had suggested that all political parties be equally funded,” Lukato lamented.
“NDP won’t take part in regional elections due to financial constraints. We don’t have any resources to contest, although we have members and supporters who can vote for NDP in the entire country”, he boasted.
Lukato further questioned the neutrality of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). He said the fact that the
Electoral Act has been amended several times attests to its partisan role.
“They (LRDC) consulted us in the early stages of the Bill and later we were blocked. The Amendment Bill has been amended nine times. That tells you that the ECN is also not independent. Even the director and commissioners are appointed by the Swapo government and they are all members of Swapo”, Lukato claimed.
He, however, promised a myriad of service delivery benefits should his party be voted into power. “NDP fights for the poor and the voiceless. We propose to give free plots to the unemployed, assist those involved in small-scale business ventures with free water and electricity and to build factories in both Bukalo and Katima Mulilo. We want to bring development to these towns and elsewhere”, he vowed.
A list of NDP candidates seen by this reporter has 10 candidates for Bukalo and 12 for Katima Mulilo Town Council. The top five for Bukalo are Berio Nanzila Musweu, Charles Matengu Mabuku, Jane Munyinda Simbangala, Trevor Musweu Mutonga and Grace Musipili Sikokwani. The top five candidates for Katima Mulilo include Tronah Mpule Sikumba, Ferdinand Bohitile, Kahimbi Petra Kanyanso, Ronnette Mulela Kangulu and Chris Mubali Sipiho.