2014-12-03Mathias Haufiku WINDHOEK - Seven of the candidates who contested the presidential election did not attend the official announcement ceremony of the 2014 election results. Only DTA of Namibia’s McHenry Venaani, Swapo Party’s Dr Hage Geingob and Nudo’s Asser Mbai attended Monday night’s ceremony, which amongst others was graced by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Theo-Ben Gurirab, Chairperson of the National Council Asser Kapere, several cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps. The Electoral Commission of Namibia reserved front row seats for all nine candidates who contested the presidential election convincingly won by Dr Hage Geingob who scooped 86.7 percent of the vote. The Electoral Commission of Namibia’s Director of Elections Professor Paul Isaak yesterday told New Era that all nine candidates were invited to attend the announcement ceremony, adding that not a single one of those who were absent informed the commission he would not make it. “We invited everyone but they did not inform us they were not going to attend. We treat all of them equally, that is why the nine candidates were to be seated in the same row as they appear on the ballot paper,” said Isaak. It looks like most of the candidates opted not to attend the ceremony after losing dismally to Geingob. When he took the floor to deliver his brief message as president-elect, Geingob said he “terribly defeated” his opponents. “It is proper that you the people of Namibia came out in numbers and thought that I should take over. When I look at the numbers of those who attended our rallies, I got worried because what I have deduced is that I have a heavy responsibility that I cannot alone play out. Therefore I will count on you Mr President and the guys I terribly defeated. Now that I have finished the takeover let us hold hands because I will be a president for all Namibians. No Namibian must feel left out,” said Geingob. Geingob won the presidential race by obtaining 772 528 of the 890 738 votes cast in the presidential election. He was followed by Venaani who obtained 44 271 or 4.8 percent of the vote and Rally for Democracy and Progress’ Hidipo Hamutenya who obtained 30 197 votes or 3.51 percent of the vote. Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) candidate Epafras Mukwiilongo obtained the lowest vote in the race with 2 514 votes. Swanu of Namibia’s Usutuaije Maamberua said he had to attend to an emergency at his farm. “I rushed to my farm so I was not able to come. It is also because of the confusion of the ECN – they say you can come today and when you are there they say they are not ready. One cannot just sit around waiting for the ECN all the time,” said Maamberua. Both Mukwiilongo and the CoD’s Ben Ulenga’s mobile phones were off yesterday afternoon when New Era tried to contact them to find out why they did not attend the gathering. Hamutenya’s mobile phone went unanswered and he could therefore not be reached for comment. Republican Party candidate Henk Mudge’s mobile phone also went unanswered. New Era could also not get hold of All People’s Party candidate Ignatius Shixwameni. By Mathias Haufiku 2014-12-03Mathias Haufiku
