ECN urges reporting of political misconduct to police
Candidates, parties reminded of electoral code of conduct
During an Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) stakeholders’ meeting at Omuthiya last week, candidates for the upcoming regional and local government elections were urged to report any misconduct by their political rivals to the police.
The issue arose after former Oniipa mayor Augustus Jafet, who will stand as an independent candidate in the Oniipa constituency councillor elections on 26 November, asked how candidates can be protected from insults and character attacks.
Jafet referred specifically to former Swapo Youth League secretary Paulus Kapia, who he claimed had recently made defamatory remarks about him during a Swapo rally at Oniipa.
“We are talking about the code of conduct, but we have experienced personal attacks from people who are not even from Oniipa, and it was before ECN announced the candidates on 16 October,” Jafet remarked.
Police matter
Another issue raised in regard to breaches of the electoral code of conduct was accusations against dominant political parties displaying flags and posters within 500 metres of a polling station on election day – a practice deemed illegal by the electoral body.
However, several ECN officials, including Oshikoto electoral officer Ester Hipangelwa, informed stakeholders that the commission cannot take direct action in such cases, urging affected individuals to report incidents of political misconduct to law enforcement.
Oniipa constituency councillor Vilho Nuunyango, however, argued that those crying foul are guilty of similar conduct. “The people who are crying foul today are the same people who used to speak badly about others, and we have the receipts,” Nuunyango said.
During the meeting, stakeholders also discussed challenges experienced during the November 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections. These included malfunctioning verification software and shortages of ballot papers.
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The issue arose after former Oniipa mayor Augustus Jafet, who will stand as an independent candidate in the Oniipa constituency councillor elections on 26 November, asked how candidates can be protected from insults and character attacks.
Jafet referred specifically to former Swapo Youth League secretary Paulus Kapia, who he claimed had recently made defamatory remarks about him during a Swapo rally at Oniipa.
“We are talking about the code of conduct, but we have experienced personal attacks from people who are not even from Oniipa, and it was before ECN announced the candidates on 16 October,” Jafet remarked.
Police matter
Another issue raised in regard to breaches of the electoral code of conduct was accusations against dominant political parties displaying flags and posters within 500 metres of a polling station on election day – a practice deemed illegal by the electoral body.
However, several ECN officials, including Oshikoto electoral officer Ester Hipangelwa, informed stakeholders that the commission cannot take direct action in such cases, urging affected individuals to report incidents of political misconduct to law enforcement.
Oniipa constituency councillor Vilho Nuunyango, however, argued that those crying foul are guilty of similar conduct. “The people who are crying foul today are the same people who used to speak badly about others, and we have the receipts,” Nuunyango said.
During the meeting, stakeholders also discussed challenges experienced during the November 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections. These included malfunctioning verification software and shortages of ballot papers.
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