Lahja Nashuuta 

Rudolf Gaiseb 

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) late yesterday provided an update on the observation, verification and commencement of final ballot production ahead of next month’s national elections. 

“On Monday, 21 October 2024, authorised representatives of the 18 political parties verified and signed off the designed sample ballot papers in Johannesburg. Three political p a r t i e s – C h r i s t i a n Democratic Voice (CDV), the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Republican Party (RP) – which withdrew from the mission, were given the opportunity to verify their particulars at the ECN head office in Windhoek. This verification was completed on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 08h30, with all three parties signing off the sample ballot papers.  The Commission is pleased to confirm that all 21 political parties and 15 presidential candidates contesting the elections have officially signed off the sample ballot papers,” ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka said in a statement yesterday. 

“Following the successful verification and signing off, the production and printing of the final ballot papers commenced on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 15h00 in Johannesburg. The printing process is progressing on schedule. Upon completion, the Commission will issue further public updates”, he added. 

Parties mum 

However, the silence from political party representatives on a nine-day mission across the Orange River to observe the ballot paper printing process by Johannesburg-based firm Ren-form CC is deafening. 

By yesterday, most were reluctant to share details around the findings of their mission, with some promising to only report back once they return home. 

The parties’ officials are in South Africa to oversee the design, layout, production, printing and packaging of the ballot papers for the country’s elections next month. 

Those whom New Era spoke to yesterday had little to disclose. 

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) representative Immanuel Nashinge said their mission of making sure that Ren-Form cc does everything above board is so far going well, but he will only share more details when their mission is completed. 

“We shall be releasing a joint press statement as soon as possible to brief Namibia on our experiences as we observe, and what we shall be doing next. Above all, I would say the process is progressing well,” he said briefly. 

Another member of the Namibian delegation to Ren-Form is National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato, who said there are some serious issues which arose during their mission, but he will address them in full once he is back home. 

“For now, I can’t make any statement to the media until the process is completed,” he added. 

Affirmative Repositioning representative Tangeni Kamwatange was unreachable, as was Landless People’s Movement official Ivan Skrywer. 

 Counter-attack 

Meanwhile, Ren-Form issued a statement on Wednesday, distancing itself from rogue Zimbabwean entrepreneur Wicknell Chivayo, as well as ferociously defending its credibility and track record. 

In its statement, the firm also took issue with the PDM, which had questioned Ren- Form’s credibility, track record and ability to design, layout, print and package the ballot papers for the ECN. 

The company described the allegations by the PDM as “unsubstantiated, false, malicious” and aimed at tarnishing its image, good name and reputation. 

“Ren-Form CC categorically denies the alleged relations or connections with a certain Wicknell Chivayo. Ren-Form CC specifically denies that Chivayo is its agent, associate, employee or director,” reads their letter. 

The firm added that “Ren-Form CC has on numerous occasions placed on record in the public domain that the allegations of corruption and price inflation levelled against it in connection with the Zimbabwe elections are false, malicious and were made by certain individuals who have to date failed to produce any evidence to substantiate the same.” 

Ren-Form threatened that it will pursue legal action against individuals responsible for making the false allegations, as such allegations have caused it reputational damage, and were defamatory to its directors, shareholders and employees. 

“The allegations against Ren-Form CC made by the PDM and published by The Namibian newspaper are equally false, malicious, baseless and unsubstantiated. As pointed out above, the alleged connection or relations between Ren-Form and Chivayo are plainly false”, it added. 

Ren-Form CC maintained that it never engaged in any corrupt or criminal activities to secure the awarding of the contract for the design, layout, production, printing and packaging of ballot papers for the ECN. 

PDM stance 

PDM spokesperson Geoffrey Mwilima yesterday clapped back at Ren-Form, saying the party maintains its position on the firm’s alleged dodgy credibility and inability to print ballot papers for Namibia – especially given its track record on Zimbabwe and South Africa. 

“Ren-Form CC will never admit it. Even when they are defending themselves, they are already caught on hook. Zimbabwe and South Africa are both complaining about the same company. The company’s logistical organisation or arrangement has failed them. It sends a signal that says this company is not ready, and lacks something. Of course, they will never say ‘yes, we are a corrupt company’, but their track record and footprints are forever there,” charged Mwilima. 

He said the PDM demands the rescindment of the ballot paper printing tender from Ren- Form CC, and for it to be awarded to another credible company, either locally or outside. 

“We are investigating on our own to see how far the mission has gone and what has transpired, based on the allegations. You can’t be accused of the same thing by two or three different people. The allegations, although just allegations at the moment, are indicative of what they [Ren-Form] are capable of doing. People are there to observe the whole process, but they are not doing it. But we are busy investigating, as we have our sources as well,” he added. 

ECN confident 

On its part, the ECN has unequivocally refuted the “malicious and baseless allegations” being circulated regarding the awarding of the tender to Ren-Form. 

“These allegations, intended to discredit the Commission and undermine public confidence in the electoral process, are false and misleading. Such unfounded claims are made to cast a shadow on the integrity of Namibia’s electoral system, which the Commission will not allow,” said Petrus Shaama, the ECN’s chief electoral and referenda officer. 

“The Commission firmly asserts that our procurement processes are fully transparent and compliant with all relevant legal frameworks. The Commission is fully committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability, as mandated by our constitutional duty to safeguard free and fair elections,” he maintained. 

He said the decision to award the contract to Ren-Form CC was made following a thorough and rigorous evaluation process, which adhered to the laws governing procurement. 

Shaama expressed confidence in Ren- Form CC, saying the firm boasts a solid track record of printing ballot papers for over 70 elections on the continent in the past 20 years. 

He said factors which were considered during the awarding process included compliance with technical requirements, cost-effectiveness, reliability and the ability to meet strict timelines.