Swapo whipped in southern election re-runs
ELIZABETH JOSEPH
AROAB
Swapo has conceded defeat in elections held in the //Karas and Hardap regions on Friday, and says it will start working hard to win back the support it lost to the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) in the regions.
After a botched process during the original elections held last November, the Electoral Court ordered a re-run at Koës, Stampriet and Aroab local authorities, as well as Mariental Rural constituency.
LPM’s Densia Swartbooi was proclaimed the winner for the Mariental Rural constituency.
Swartbooi won with a total of 1 099 votes, while Swapo’s Simon Kooper trailed behind with 854.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)'s Stephanus Bloodstaan gained 97 votes, while independent candidate Desmond Tjipanga received a total 46 votes.
At Koës, LPM won three seats with 376 votes, while Swapo won two seats with 274 votes. At Stampriet, LPM led with three seats after garnering 353 votes, while the ruling party gained 272 votes, enough for two seats.
At Aroab, both LPM and Swapo gained two seats. Either party may seek a coalition with PDM, which won the remaining one seat, to determine a majority on council.
Irregularities
The re-run for the constituency seats came as a result of irregularities involving ballot papers and a separate polling team that left its station earlier than required during the November 2020 regional council elections.
Swapo’s regional coordinator for //Karas, Mathew Mumbala, said the elections were fair and now it is time for the work to begin.
“I am very happy with the results,” he said concisely.
LPM’s Andrew de Juy said although his party did not get the number of votes it anticipated, it will still fulfil its electoral promises to the people.
“It’s okay, LPM is a young party, but we did quite well in the elections. The most important thing is that we will bring the change that will benefit the people,” he said.
AROAB
Swapo has conceded defeat in elections held in the //Karas and Hardap regions on Friday, and says it will start working hard to win back the support it lost to the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) in the regions.
After a botched process during the original elections held last November, the Electoral Court ordered a re-run at Koës, Stampriet and Aroab local authorities, as well as Mariental Rural constituency.
LPM’s Densia Swartbooi was proclaimed the winner for the Mariental Rural constituency.
Swartbooi won with a total of 1 099 votes, while Swapo’s Simon Kooper trailed behind with 854.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)'s Stephanus Bloodstaan gained 97 votes, while independent candidate Desmond Tjipanga received a total 46 votes.
At Koës, LPM won three seats with 376 votes, while Swapo won two seats with 274 votes. At Stampriet, LPM led with three seats after garnering 353 votes, while the ruling party gained 272 votes, enough for two seats.
At Aroab, both LPM and Swapo gained two seats. Either party may seek a coalition with PDM, which won the remaining one seat, to determine a majority on council.
Irregularities
The re-run for the constituency seats came as a result of irregularities involving ballot papers and a separate polling team that left its station earlier than required during the November 2020 regional council elections.
Swapo’s regional coordinator for //Karas, Mathew Mumbala, said the elections were fair and now it is time for the work to begin.
“I am very happy with the results,” he said concisely.
LPM’s Andrew de Juy said although his party did not get the number of votes it anticipated, it will still fulfil its electoral promises to the people.
“It’s okay, LPM is a young party, but we did quite well in the elections. The most important thing is that we will bring the change that will benefit the people,” he said.
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