Swapo busing in voters - LPM

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK



The Landless People's Movement has alleged that Swapo is busing people into the Hardap and //Karas regions, with the aim of registering them as voters for the local and regional authority elections in November.

The supplementary voter registration period ends today.

The allegations were made by LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi at a media conference on Friday.

Swapo is bringing in voters from Ruacana due to the threat posed by LPM, Swartbooi claimed.

He also claimed the ruling party was anticipating losing key constituencies in the two southern regions. “There has been a history of Swapo transporting people from one place to another; it is nothing new.

“What is now new is the threat of defeat in terms of Hardap. It is so real, more than they assessed is possible,” Swartbooi said.

He claimed the LPM was informed of the Swapo strategy by sources within the Electoral Commission of Namibia.



Allegations refuted

Swapo, however, denied the allegations.

In an interview with Eagle FM, ruling party secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa said: “Swapo has no right to do the transportation of people, either by cars or buses, during the state of emergency. They are confusing voters and also putting issues in their heads,” she said of the LPM.

Shaningwa said if there is any truth in the allegations, she would like to be provided with vehicle registration numbers and, if possible, the names of those who were transported.

“We should not promote issues of this nature,” Shaningwa added.