2015-08-20Staff Report 2 Tsumeb Speculation is rife that the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Notemba Tjipueja will take over the position of director of elections from Professor Paul Isaak. Tjipueja has resigned as legal advisor at the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI). Tjiupueja will according to sources most probably start on September 1 in her “permanent” position at the ECN. The legal advisor vacancy at the NSI was advertised in a local daily this week. She has been the chair of the board of the ECN since 2011. Although speculation is rife, it is unclear whether she will be replacing Isaak or whether she will be taking up a different position. Impeccable sources are saying her security will also be beefed up. When asked whether it is true that Tjipueja would be joining the ECN, Isaak said the commission was not ready to pronounce itself. Asked whether she would be replacing him he said he could “not speak about the matter now”. When further questions were directed as to why there was silence on the subject an agitated Isaak said he would not be drawn into commenting. “We are looking into the matter and the ECN will pronounce itself when it is ready,” he assured. This reporter even attempted to find out whether a new position had been created, however the question was not entertained by Isaak. Isaak was appointed as ECN director of elections in 2013. He previously lectured in philosophy at the University of Namibia and also taught at universities in Germany, USA, and Switzerland. He started his studies in Namibia at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Otjimbingwe and later went on to complete his post-graduate studies in California and Chicago, USA. When contacted for comment, Tjipueja also would not entertain questions but said that when everything is finalised she would make an announcement. “Where did you hear this? Nothing is final. When everything is final I will make the announcement,” she said. 2015-08-20Staff Report 2
