Parliamentarians label ECN appointed chairperson as Swapo party member

By: Josia Shigwedha

Various opposition political parties, in the National Assembly, have collectively opposed the appointment of Gerson Sindano as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

The parties held a joint press conference in Windhoek on Thursday, arguing that the country’s electoral body must be led by an individual who is independent and impartial.

Speaking at the briefing, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, highlighted Sindano’s previous role as a personal assistant to then SWAPO Secretary-General Nangolo Mbumba, as one of the reasons for their concerns.

“This man used to work for the office of SWAPO, as a PA in the office of the Secretary General of SWAPO, then President Nangolo Mbumba. Now we are saying this person now must be given the mandate to control the election. Why should we allow a Sophia boy to run the elections of this country,” said Venaani.

National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) parliamentarian, Vetaruhe Kandorozu said the opposition’s concerns were not a personal attack on Sindano’s personality but whether due processes were followed to appoint him.

“We don’t have any background on what basis she recommended the only two ladies. How did they score? Maybe they were the very last performer within the interview and she just picked it up from the bottom to top.

So, we need to scrutinize, we need to get that information so that it can be availed,” said Kandorozu.

Body of Christ Party (BCP) leader, Bishop Festus Thomas, said he believes Sindano is not the appropriate candidate to lead the ECN, arguing that the commission must remain independent and that Sindano’s previous political role could undermine public confidence in the institution.

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