Itula submits papers

Dr Panduleni Itula has finally filed his nomination papers to stand as an independent presidential candidate in next month's presidential elections.

This is despite the Swapo Party and experts saying he cannot be an independent candidate while remaining a member of the ruling party. Chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro yesterday confirmed that Itula had submitted his forms but pointed out that he was not yet registered as candidate. He said filing papers did not amount to a successful nomination.

“So, no one is duly nominated as we speak. They are simply filing their nomination papers. This will allow us time to verify, for example in the case of Dr Itula, the 7 000 names, 500 from each of the 14 regions. We need to run through those names and check through our database,” he explained.



Unmoved

In July Itula announced that he would launch his independent campaign for the presidency on 26 October.

He remains undeterred by Swapo's threats to discipline him, given that he has not resigned as member of the ruling party.

In March the party condemned Itula's insistence on standing as independent presidential candidate while remaining a party member.

The Swapo Party School has also distanced itself from Itula.

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JEMIMA BEUKES