2008-03-19Staff Report 2 By Kuvee Kangueehi Windhoek The acting Director of Elections, Moses Ndjarakana, says the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is investigating possible offences committed by the four employees it granted special leave almost a fortnight ago. Ndjarakana told New Era yesterday that the ECN, through its staff members, is investigating the quartet, which includes the director of elections, Philemon Kanime, and his number two, Annanias Elago, who is the director of operations. The other two are the chief control officer, Hesekiel Shigwedha, and the chief systems administrator, Nicodemus Mingelius. Ndjarakana said upon completion of the investigations, the findings will be submitted to the ECN, which will recommend to the Public Service Commission of Namibia what action to take against the quartet. The outcome of the investigations is likely to affect only three employees as the ECN has technically fired Kanime because his 'special vacation leave' is for a period of four months and by the end of the leave, Kanime's contract with the ECN would have come to an end. The four senior employees were granted special leave following irregularities in the build up to the Omuthiya local authority elections and the subsequent postponement of the elections. Meanwhile, Ndjarakana said preparations for the Eenhana by-elections scheduled for March 28 are on track. The ECN has not experienced any problems so far. He noted that the ECN has started deploying its officers in the Eenhana Constituency and the trai-ning of election officers will start soon. He added that there have been no objections regarding the voters' roll for the Eenhana by-elections and the closing date has passed. Regarding the Omuthiya local authority elections, Ndjarakana said the Ondangwa magistrate is still dealing with representations by the voters against whom complaints were lodged. As soon as the magistrate completes the process, the ECN will put in motion plans for the Omuthiya local authority elections as well as setting a date for the elections. 2008-03-19Staff Report 2
