Political parties urged to behave ahead of polls

Political parties, associations and independent candidates contesting this month’s regional council and local authority elections have been urged to adhere to the political code of conduct as prescribed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

ECN chairperson Notemba Tjipueja said the commission has noted with concern remarks made by former Namibian Defence Force chief Martin Shalli at a Swapo rally in Okahandja last week where he called for the slitting of Swapo defectors’ throats. Shalli has since apologised to the nation and has retracted the statement. His comment was widely condemned by various political parties as well as Swapo parliamentarian Mandela Kapere who had called on Shalli to unconditionally retract the comment.

Tjipueja yesterday said Shalli’s comment was clearly in contravention of the code of conduct for political parties, reminding all parties about the importance of adherence to the code of conduct for political parties. “I would like all political parties to point number five of the code of conduct gazetted on 17 October 1992 under general notice No 143, which states that speakers at political rallies may not use language which incite violence in any form against any other person or group of person,” Tjipueja said.

“Parties will not issue pamphlets, newsletters or posters which contain material which incite violence.” She further called on parties to issue advises to party officials, candidates or members tasked with addressing campaign events in the run up to the elections to ensure they familiarise themselves with the code of conduct.

Meanwhile, the ECN early this week announced 69 676 new voters were registered during the supplementary voters’ registration for the regional council elections.

According to the commission, 95 066 voters were existing voters who received new voter cards due to change of address or replacement of lost cards. A total of 1 643 deceased voters were removed from the roll, while the total number of registered voters for the regional council elections are 1 408 670.

For the local authority vote register, 41 220 new voters were registered during the supplementary voters’ registration process. A total of 786 deceased voters were removed from the roll, bringing the total of registered voters to 451 870.