Windhoek
Swapo Party councillors who were elected during by-elections held in the last 12 months had the luxury of sailing through the primaries unopposed.
New Era learnt that Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba last month sent out a directive to the party’s regional coordinators instructing them to ensure that all the councillors that were voted into office via by-elections in the last year must stand unopposed – simply meaning they are the party’s de-facto representatives during the upcoming elections.
The directive was sent to regional coordinators in the regions where by-elections were held the past 12 months.
This decision has left many aspiring candidates with sour faces, claiming that they have been deliberately sidelined by the party.
Mbumba yesterday did not comment on the matter. When contacted the first time he said he could not talk as he was in a meeting, and the second time around he said: “I am in a car, I cannot hear you.”
Party insiders whom this publication spoke to said the decision was made to allow the new councillors to serve their full term.
“Just because someone was voted into power through by-elections does not mean they should not contest that position. If they were so good, then why did they not win those seats during the elections in 2010?” questioned one of the party members who spoke under condition of anonymity.
During the past 12 months some of the by-elections won by the ruling party include Ohangwena, Windhoek West, Swakopmund, Otjiwarongo and Otavi. The by-elections were all prompted by the death of the incumbent councillor at the time.
The party’s primaries have been marred by infighting and bickering from the start as candidates look to represent the party at all costs.The secretary general’s office, New Era has learnt, was inundated with complaints in the last few weeks regarding the manner in which some primaries were conducted.
Some candidates claim that their names have been removed from the lists, while others tabled allegations of vote-rigging.
The situation became so unbearable for the party that its secretary for information and mobilization Helmut Angula last week issued an advertorial in local newspapers to express the party’s concern regarding the malpractices.
According to Angula, some of the malpractices include candidates being denied the right to vote, nepotism and favouritism.
“The Swapo Party headquarters noted with concern the numerous complaints received from various parts of the country, alleging irregularities in the primaries,” said Angula.
He warned that the party would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against the culprits.
He said the party would even go as far as ordering a rerun or repeat of the primaries if there is proof that procedures were not followed – in order to ensure fairness, credibility and transparency.
Political parties and independent candidates who wish to contest the elections still have a week left to submit their lists.
Parties that wish to field candidates in all 121 constituencies will have to fork out N$302 500 in registration fees. The registration fee is N$2 500 per candidate.
The regional council and local authority elections will be held on November 27.