Isaak's ECN appointment hailed

WINDHOEKFAITH SANKWASA The decision by President Hifikepunye Pohamba to appoint Dr Paul Isaak as the new Director of Elections at the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has been greeted with praise from political analysts. Isaak, 65, will assume his duties on September 1 and is currently an African Western Philosophies and Contemporary Issues lecturer at the University of Namibia (Unam). Isaak also holds a Diploma in Theology, as well as a Master of Arts in Religion and a PhD in Theology from the United States. Isaak replaces Moses Ndjarakana, whose term of office ended in July after serving in the position since August 2008. According to Graham Hopwood, Executive Director of Institute for Public Policy Research, Isaak is not connected to previous controversies affecting the ECN. Hopwood added that Isaak's appointment is therefore likely to be accepted by all political parties in the country. “I hope he will be able to end the rancour of the past over the ECN's handling of elections and open up a new era in the way elections are managed. Isaak has little experience of election management, but this need not necessarily be a drawback if he has strong support from the commission and senior staff at the Elections Directorate. I think he has the goodwill of stakeholders and will be given time to show that he can handle the job,” Hopwood said. He added that it was always going to be difficult for Ndjarakana to be re-appointed, due to the controversies and legal challenges that arose in from the 2009 general elections. “Since the commission, for the most part, has changed since 2009 and there is a new director, there is a chance now to turn over a new leaf when it comes to election management and aim for elections that are beyond reproach in the way they are organised in 2014,” said Hopwood Political commentator Phanuel Kaapama, who worked alongside Isaak at Unam, described him as “a hardworking shrewd administrator”, who will be able to steer ECN in a positive direction. Kaapama said the complete trust the ECN commissioners put on Isaak, serves as proof that he is the right person to head the commission. “Elections are very challenging, as seen with the previous court challenge that put ECN in the spotlight. I hope Isaak will be able to deliver and execute the goals of the ECN, with the benefit and goodwill of those already in the system,” Kaapama said.