Stefanus Nashama
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has submitted its application to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to register the movement as a political party to contest in the 2024 presidential and national assembly elections, an insider revealed.
According to the source, who opted to remain anonymous, the application was submitted last week and was received by the ECN. He however did not specify what the party structure will be when the AR is registered as a political party, or whether the movement’s Leader Job Amupanda will run for president on the movement’s ticket or as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
The source further explained that previously, AR was not registered with the ECN to participate in the presidential and national assembly elections.
“The movement was only registered as an association to take part in regional and local authority elections for constituencies and towns.
It has to register as a political party like any other party in the country to participate in the presidential and national assembly or go to parliament,” he said.
The ECN yesterday confirmed that it received AR’s application for registration as a political party on 26 June 2023, adding that the process is at an infant stage.
“The commission will look at all aspects to ensure that AR meets all the requirements as stipulated in the Electoral Act, No.5 of 2014 before approval,” the ECN said.
“Next year, I can tell things will be tough, with the youth frustrated and moved by the unemployment situation.
It will force them to sympathize with their fellow young ones of the AR, to secure a voice in Parliament or even into power, while some political parties will lose support and seats in Parliament if the AR application is approved by ECN,” the source stated.
Contacted for comment, AR National Spokesperson, George Kambala said he cannot comment because it is not the right time for him to do so.
“I cannot comment, this is not the right time for me to officially comment. Go to ECN or find out from Mujoro,” he said.
The AR was established in 2015 as a radical movement by Amupanda, Kambala, and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma after they were expelled from the Swapo Party.
Efforts to get comment from Amupanda were not successful.
