ECN

PDM threatens to boycott polls ….’partisan’ ECN commissioner irks PDM

PDM threatens to boycott polls ….’partisan’ ECN commissioner irks PDM

Martin Endjala One name among the members of the Electoral Commission of Namibia cause a major uproar in the National Assembly today. The vetting and endorsement of the commissioners of the elections body is always a controversial matter in the house and sometimes turns into real election campaigning. Opposition parties are in the habit of accusing the ruling Swapo Party for filling up the ECN with people sympathetic with Swapo. The vacancies for ECN commissioners are public advertised and candidates also interviewed publicly. The opposition parties were particularly irked by one commissioner, who they said served previously as an assistant…
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Swapo wants Ndonga Linena re-election

Swapo wants Ndonga Linena re-election

Eba Kandovazu THE Chief Electoral Officer at the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Theo Mujoro, says the ECN will comply with the Electoral Court’s order to recount the votes cast in the Ndonga Linena Constituency during the 2020 Regional and Local Authorities Elections. Responding to Windhoek Observer’s queries, following Swapo’s threat to boycott the recount, Mujoro says logistical arrangements are currently being put in place to ensure a transparent and credible recount process in line with the court order. “We have noted the press release issued by the Swapo Party touching on a number of issues. A comprehensive response will…
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ECN concedes to pay for election re-run

ECN concedes to pay for election re-run

Maria Hamutenya The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has conceded that it will pay political parties’ cost for their participation in the election re-runs in Koës, Aroab, Stampriet Local authorities and Mariental Rural Constituency now scheduled for Friday, 26 February. The ECN had previous hinted that it might appeal the ruling handed by Judge Shafimana Ueitele in the Electoral Court’s judgement in December, depending on the reasons given that the commission should carry the cost for political parties to participate in the rerun of the polls as it was not within its mandate. “The court order will be complied with…
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ECN finally calls Shalli to order

ECN finally calls Shalli to order

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia, (ECN) has at last called out retired Lieutenant General of the army Martin Shalli after his comments about ‘cutting throats of Swapo party defectors’ drew widespread criticism. This comes as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Vice-President Jennifer Van Den Heever laid a criminal charge at the Windhoek Police Station against retired Major-General. Shalli made these comments while campaigning for Swapo in Okahandja on Saturday 7 November. “The ECN has noted with concern a video clip circulated on various media platforms where one of the leaders of the Swapo party, RT Lieutenant General Martin Shalli…
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State funds must build Namibia first

The contract for printing Namibian ballots is now farmed out to South Africa. This is a mistake during this unique, crisis situation in Namibia. How can this country hope to revive if state funds, i.e., taxpayer money, are going to secure South African jobs? The government must invest at home, even if it seems to cost more (on the surface) to kick start the economy and save local jobs, businesses and families. In this terrible economic crisis, the government must ensure that Namibia revives. The bottom line is that we need different avenues to invest at home to inject money…
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AR to file for new application with the High Court …As electoral tribunal dismisses application

AR to file for new application with the High Court …As electoral tribunal dismisses application

Clifton Movirongo The Affirmative Reposition (AR) movement says it will approach the High Court on Thursday after the Electoral Tribunal for Windhoek dismissed its application for continuous voters' registration the day before. This comes as AR in September took the government and ECN to the Electoral Tribunal pursuing an order to make the ECN to implement continuous voters' registration. One of the issues placed before the Electoral Tribunal is the decision of the Electoral Commission not to fill the casual vacancy at the Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency as required by Section 3 of the Regional Council Act 22 of 1992. AR's…
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ECN appeals PDM list ruling

ECN appeals PDM list ruling

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has on Tuesday appealed the High Court’s ruling on the amendment of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentary list. This comes after ECN boss Theo Mujoro previously told Windhoek Observer that the commission did nothing wrong. Government Attorney, Mati Asino, who represents the ECN, confirmed the decision to appeal the ruling. “Our client gave us instructions to appeal because they strongly feel that they have good prospect of success. We are not just appealing for the sake of appealing, there’s good reason why, and those will be presented in court,” he told…
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