WINDHOEK – Most Namibian opposition parties say that they are ready and will campaign vigorously for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections despite major financial difficulties they face going into the money-guzzling exercise.
In a survey conducted by New Era the official opposition Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) confirmed they were fully prepared to participate in the elections.
“We have been dealing with financial dilemmas for years and have adopted a strategy to continue under stringent circumstances,” said Mike Kavekotora, the RDP secretary general.
He said he was sure they would use the meager resources at their disposal to achieve the same impact as the first time when they contested the elections in 2010.
“We are used to surviving but that will not derail us from our strategy. We could have done better with more resources though,” he added, emphasizing their main concern was not their readiness but whether the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was ready to conduct a credible election.
“The law has not been reformed to have credible elections. Is the country ready for credible elections or open for another (court) challenge?” he asked, adding that Namibia was still operating on the old electoral law.
Kavekotora also took a swipe at the ECN, saying they spent a lot of money on electronic voting machines, but everyone was in the dark over whether or not they would be used for the upcoming elections.
He said that voters needed to be educated in time to use the machine.
Ignatious Shixwameni, president of the All People’s Party (APP) said they were ready although money remained a problem.
“We got to be ready even in a month’s time – we will be ready,” he boasted, saying their party manifesto was also ready to be launched again.
He however said he hoped some sponsors would invest in democracy by supporting them to stage an effective and efficient campaign so that the country is not ruled by default or remote control.
Shixwameni also expressed his concern about the electoral law, saying that judges have even criticized loopholes that exist in the present law.
He said the current law does not allow for electronic voting machines to be used and the Bill to change to the new machines first has to be presented to political parties. He added that by the time Parliament resumes in June, it would be another month before it is presented to President Hifikepunye Pohamba and would mostly likely only be signed by the end of August.
He expressed concern about some media houses, alleging “proportionate selective coverage” of election campaigns, saying “as long as media prefer certain individuals or parties, it would show bias.”
“I challenge the media to be fair,” he said, adding that the South African poll was exemplary.
Shixwameni said that as opinions of smaller parties are repressed, “we could not call ourselves a democratic society”.
President of the Republican Party (RP) Henk Mudge said they were ready for elections and were putting structures in place after breaking away from the RDP.
“We are experiencing financial constraints like everyone else and need finance to get our message across,” he said.
Mudge said he felt the playing field was not level as the ruling party Swapo could use state infrastructure for campaigns.
His main concern was the voters’ roll, which he said was suspicious because people were still allowed to register with sworn affidavits 24 years after independence.
“That puts a big question on the legality and fairness of the elections,” he added.
The RP president also raised his concern about the two days allocated for voting when South Africa with a bigger population voted in only one day.
“We will make 100 percent sure elections are not rigged,” he said.
Vetaruhe Kandorozu, the NUDO deputy secretary general, said they were also ready and were waiting for the announcement on when to start campaigning for the elections.
He said they held consultative meetings with the leadership and technocrats and were also “polishing” their manifesto.
“We are not financially stable, but will still approach the private sector,” he added, urging the private sector to sponsor opposition parties as they are responsible for stability in the country.
Apius !Auchab, president of the United Democratic Front (UDF) said unlike other opposition parties that are complaining about money, they are more than ready for the national elections.
“We are going in with full confidence despite our resources, to protect, maintain and grow the base of our supporters,” he said.
!Auchab said that the party would also pronounce itself on the Dr Hage Geingob issue. The former UDF president Justus Garoeb reportedly said his followers must vote for Geingob as the next Namibian president because he is a Damara.
By Magreth Nunuhe