Edward Mumbuu
Efraim Ranjeni
The country’s electoral body says all is in place to deliver a credible, free and fair contest in the Moses //Garoëb constituency by-election today.
The by-election was triggered by the death of councillor Aili Venonya in October last year.
Five candidates, among them two independents, square off in the race for the signatures of the about 40 000 registered voters in the constituency, who find themselves on the periphery of the national capital. They are Swapo’s Stefanus Ndengu, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)’s Moses Mwandingi, Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters’
(NEFF) Nakale Shinime, and independent candidates Hashoongo Ndalifilwa and Hengobe Moses.
Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) boss Theo Mujoro was confident yesterday, saying “it’s all systems go”.
“Today is deployment day. As we speak, we have all our teams at the head office receiving their materials and verifying the correctness of what they received, if each team got the right quantity of materials, and if everything is in working order. They are getting their vehicles today,” the ECN’s CEO said.
There are 25 fixed polling stations, scattered all over the constituency, to be manned by 130 polling officials who are just fresh from a two-day refresher training course. This was just to make sure they take their A-game to polling stations in the crucial election. “We are also assigning members of the Namibian Police to the various teams because they must secure the process,” he added. While optimistic about a large voter turnout today, Mujoro hastened to say the festive mood may have an impact on the number of voters making it to the booth.
“This by-election is taking place during the festive period. It is, therefore, possible that there may be registered voters of this constituency who may have travelled [outside Windhoek] at this time, and who may not be back in the constituency in time to vote,” he noted. Mujoro, however, hopes that this reality “will not affect the general voter turnout.”
Over the years, by-elections have not inspired huge voter interest.
On the front of voter education, he said the ECN has done its part as mandated by law.
The fact that the constituency is in an urban setting made it easier for ECN officials to provide civic and voter education.
“We are really urging the political parties contesting and the candidates to do their bit as far as voter education is concerned because inasmuch as it is a legal mandate of the commission, we believe that those contesting have a vested interest in the outcome of the by-election,” he stressed. During their campaigns, the contestants all made ambitious promises to the voters, ranging from providing potable water and toilets, vocational training, jobs, an open market, a bus stop and a fire station.
Political party representatives were all brimming with confidence ahead of the showdown. “I am very excited that from a naked eye, Swapo voters are back from the festive season and obviously, they will come and fulfil their democratic obligations. When I spoke to some of them here, they promised to make tomorrow (today) a big day for Swapo. No fear of anything at all,” an upbeat Ndengu said.
For the relatively new kid on the political block the IPC, its national spokesperson Imms Nashinge said the constituency is theirs for the taking. The bullish Nashinge said what the IPC refers to as a “street-push”, others call a “rally”.
He was referring to the sweeping walk through the constituency that was spearheaded by party vice president Trevino Forbes. “Remember, we have been campaigning the whole December. So, as the IPC, we have no doubt and the ground is really fertile and the response is very positive. Most definitely, we will emerge victorious. Our candidate is not going to run this constituency alone, but will be co-managing the constituency with the community,” Nashinge enthused.
For the red berets, today’s election is just a warm-up to what awaits the nation in 2024.
“As NEFF, we have got two seats in the National Assembly, which is evidence enough to prove to our people that we have got a task ahead of us for advocating service delivery to our people. I am very happy, and the voters are promising well that the election will work in NEFF’s favour…the deciding period is already now. Moses //Garoëb belongs to NEFF, no doubt,” Nakale stated. Efforts to get hold of the independent candidates prior to heading for publication fell flat yesterday. Polling stations open at 07h00 and close at 21h00 today. “We are good to go,” Mujoro reiterated.
efraimranjeni@gmail.com