ELECTION UPDATE 2004 NAMIBIA
number 1 5 November 2004
contents Pre-election political and policy settings 1 Political Parties 3 The Presidential Elections 5 General Elections 6 Manifestos 6 Regional Elections 9 Civil Society Participation 10 Framework for Election Conflict Prevention and Management 11
Compiled by Phaneul Kaapama
EISA Editorial Team Jackie Kalley, Khabele Matlosa, Denis Kadima
Published with the assistance of NORAD and OSISA
Pre-election Political and dictates that the election of the Hence, in a few weeks time Policy Settings President should be by direct, Namibians will be going to the universal and equal suffrage. polls to participate in the third Introduction presidential and general Moreover, the same Article elections that are scheduled for At independence in 1990, the stipulates that no person shall November 15 and 16, 2004. Republic of Namibia, through be elected as President unless these will be followed by the its Constitution, embraced the he/she has received more than third Regional Council principles of democracy based fifty per cent (50%) of the votes elections that will be taking on electoral choice and cast and the necessary number place on November 29 and 30, multipartism. Hence, in line of ballots shall be cast until 2004. with these principles, the such result is reached. Article constitution as the formal 46(1)(a) of the constitution The raison d'etre of this source for the understanding of deals with the elections of the briefing paper is to examine the the political and governance members of the National political setting for the processes in the country lays Assembly. Any person who upcoming elections. This will out the general framework for qualifies by virtue of the entail the outlining of the exercising electoral choice. For provisions of Article 17 (2) of various statutory and legislative example, the term of office of the Namibian Constitution has instruments that were adopted the President is dealt with under the right to register, vote, or to provide the institutional Article 29, while Article 28 stand in an election. framework for the regulation election update 2004 N amibia number 1 and administration of elections These includes registration of component of approximately 20 in the country. In addition, the voters; the preparation, persons. Which at the time of paper will provide an analysis publication, and maintenance of preparing and conducting of of the activities of the various voters’ registers; registration of elections are reinforced by stakeholders in this process and political parties; as well as the additional staff on temporary the extent to which they conducting and certification of secondment from the various conform to the regulatory elections.1 government agencies, who instruments and the render assistance in terms of effectiveness of the instruments The ECN is composed of five undertaking various pre- in guaranteeing the electoral members, whose term of office election, election and post choice of citizens as required should not exceed five years, election functions. Such as by the Constitution. however they may become training, media and party eligible for re-appointment liaison, voter education, Some of the key statutory and upon the expiry of the term. administration election and legislative instruments for the The appointment of the observation, election result regulation and administration of commissioners to serve on the management etc. This elections dealing with elections, ECN is done in terms of the engagement of civil servants which will be featured in this Electoral Amendment Act of have in the past enabled ECN paper, are: 1998, which stipulates that to cut cost in respect of prospective and aspiring exorbitant remuneration, as • Electoral Act (Act 24 of election commissioners should such officials are only entitled 1992) apply through a Selection to claim subsistence, travel and • Electoral Amendment Act Committee. Upon receipt of the over-time allowances, (Act 23 of 1994) applications, applicants are especially when they are • Electoral Amendment Act screened by the committee, assigned to the constituencies (Act 30 of 1998) after which it recommends in which they reside. Another • Electoral Amendment Act eight candidates to the advantage from this (Act 11 of 1999) President of the Republic of deployment of civil servants is • Electoral Regulations Namibia, who appoints five out the fact that they have so far of the eight recommended demonstrated a general level of (Gazetted 19 September 2 1992) candidates. high discipline, professionalism • Electoral Regulations and reliability when dealing (Gazetted 5 November The 1992 Act also provided for with sensitive election related 1992) the establishment of the issues. Directorate of Elections, which is entrusted with the The Composition and Over the past years, the responsibility of rendering of Appointment of Electoral electoral laws have succeeded administrative support to the Commission of Namibia in instilling the necessary Commission. The Director of public confidence, not only in Elections, who acts as Secretary The Electoral Commission of the electoral process, but also in of the Commission, heads the Namibia (ECN) was established the electoral, regulatory and Directorate. He/She is and continues to function as the administrative bodies to deliver appointed in terms of the official electoral oversight body a free and fair election. As provision of Article 5 of the for elections of persons to be noted in the table below, 67% 1998 Electoral Amendment entrusted with the of those interviewed for the Act. The Directorate of responsibility of performing Expert Panel of the study that Elections is made up of a various state functions on was conducted by the skeleton permanent staff behalf and in the name of the Multidisciplinary Research and Namibian nation as a whole. Consultancy Centre of the Therefore, the primary University of Namibia were of 1 See sections 3 and 4 of the responsibilities of the ECN are the view that the electoral laws to direct, supervise and control Electoral Act 2 See the SADC Elections provide for an autonomous and in a fair and impartial manner independent electoral system. the various aspects of official Commissions’ Report, 1999, pp. 8, as well as the Electoral This compares favourably to elections held in Namibia. Amendment Act, 1998, article 2 29% who shared the same
2 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 view, although they noted that contest elections in Namibia. In political party, charging the regulations do not provide terms of this Act, the principal that the name could be adequately for the resolution of object of such parties, interpreted as promoting conflict. While only a minority associations or organisations tribalism. two percent (2%) were of the should be to participate in and • Its name (full and/or view that the electoral legal promote elections. This abbreviated) or distinctive framework is insufficient in the requires them to nominate symbols are deemed provision of avenues for persons as candidates to stand indecent, obscene, conflict resolution and equal for election, as well as offensive, or harmful to participation; another two per canvassing for votes at any public morale.5 cent (2%) noted that the such election, and the devotion existing electoral legal of their resources to cover Political Party Funding framework totally fails to expenses incurred as a result of guarantee the ‘freedom and their respective electioneering Namibia is one of the fourteen fairness’ of elections. activities. African countries that provide public funding to political Table 1: Electoral Law Credibility The following requirements are parties, in the quest to promote Percent demanded for the registration Autonomous & 67.0 the sustainable survival of independent of prospective parties, multi-party democracy. electoral system associations, and organisations: Moreover, through this gesture Autonomous, but 29.0 • The submission of an it is anticipated that dependence no provision for application detailing all on foreign funding and the conflict resolution their relevant co-ordinates, system manipulation of the local No conflict 2.0 such as head-office political process by external resolution or equal location, postal address, funders will be reduced. participation for all and a copy of their Fails to provide 2.0 constitution; This contribution was judged guarantees for free • Payment of the prescribed 6 and fair elections by International IDEA to be registration fee; Total 100.0 too marginal to make a • Tendering a declaration significant difference in the Political Parties signed by at least 500 electoral process, however this members for a party and becomes handy to the parties as Registration 250 for an association or it enables political parties to organisation, whose names better shoulder their legislative, should appear on the political and organisational The formation and registration 4 of political parties is effected relevant voter’s registers. roles in society. Moreover, in pursuant to the spirit of the view of the vast size of the Constitution, which recognises A prospective party shall be country and its dispersed and protects the rights of prohibited from registration if: population this contribution is citizens to participate in • Its name (full and/or deemed extremely helpful in peaceful political activity, and abbreviated) or distinctive supplementing the cost of form and/or join political symbol is identical or transportation, which remains parties. resembles that of another the biggest expenditure item at registered party. This is a times of elections. Another Part IV of the 1992 Electoral precautionary measure to expenditure item is the Act provides the framework for preclude the misleading or production of campaign the registration of political confusion of voters. It was material such as posters. The parties.3 The Electoral on the basis of this rule that Commission is vested with the the ECN turned down the power to register political application of Caprivi 5 Section 40 (a – b) op. cit parties and associations or National Democratic Party 6 for registration as a Boer M., The Life of the Party: organisations intending to The Hidden Role of Money in Namibian Politics, Occasional 3 Electoral Act, 1992 (Act 24 of 4 See the Electoral Act sections 39 Paper No. 5/2004, Hanns Seidel 1992) (1) and 42 (1) Foundation (Namibia), pp. 8
3 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 printing of mock ballot papers political parties to publicly foreign funding that is is the second largest cost item.7 account for how the money that permitted under Section 46 of is received from the fiscus is the 1992 Electoral Act, All political parties represented spent, will only be unveiled provided that the recipient in the National Assembly after the 2004 Presidential and political party publicly receive public funding, which is General Elections.9 discloses such receipt within an calculated in proportion to the appropriate amount of time. votes received by each such Table 2: Approximate Allocation of Failure to do this will result in a party in the most recent Funding to Political Party (2000 – fine of N$ 12 000 and/or National Assembly election. 2005) in millions of N$ imprisonment of up to three
This criterion means that four years that can be imposed in
e 1 2 3 4 5
h t 0 0 0 0 0 s
terms of Section 98 of the same e
parties that will be contesting 0 0 0 0 0
y t n l l 2 2 2 2 2 i
o
a b s o o o o o Act. n the upcoming general elections V t t t t t e
m i o f t i e 0 1 2 3 4 o t r s 0 0 0 0 0
will do so without the benefit of a s a 0 0 0 0 0 public funding compared to P N A % 2 2 2 2 2 Although parties are required to Congress of others. This fact has continued 10.0 1.3 1.4 1.8 1.9 1.6 disclose all donations in excess Democrats to raise serious questions DTA-UDF of N$500, Namibia does not 12.5 1.6 1.8 2.3 2.4 2.0 regarding electoral equity, in Coalition have an elaborate legal Monitor terms of the leveling of the Action 0.7 0.09 0,1 0.1 0.1 0.1 framework for regulation of political playing field for all Group private contributions to political SWAPO 76.8 9.6 10.8 13.8 14.7 12.2 contestants; with the non- party parties. Hence there are benefiting parties claiming that Total 100 12.5 14.1 18.0 19.1 15.9 concerns regarding not only the they are being subjected to Source: Boer, 2004: 10 safeguarding of the right of the political exclusion, hence they public to know, but also for are already trying to cast doubts In the process leading to the guarding against moneyed on the fairness of the elections. series of elections scheduled for interests playing too large a role 2004, opposition parties have in the democratic process.10 One of the conditions for access been crying foul over the to public funding by political ‘disproportionate advantage’ of Also related to these concerns parties is that they should incumbency that is being is the extent to which this account for the usage of the enjoyed by the ruling SWAPO policy vacuum could be resources so received by Party. This is claimed to be true exploited to grease the wheels submitting audited annual not only in terms of its access of corruption and feather the financial reports to Parliament to state resources, but also in nests of a few elite families and through the Office of the terms of being provided with a their cronies. For instance, the Auditor General. However, thus disproportionate amount of air Namibian Newspaper11 far none of the recipient parties time in the public electronic reported a case involving the has ever opened their books to media. This is in addition to the Alliance Media (one of the public scrutiny. This non fact that, the proportional foremost outdoor advertising adherence to this proposed formula for the allocation of agencies in Namibia), which guideline is attributed to the public funding to political has confirmed that it made an fear that this will expose the parties is based on performance exclusive offer to the Swapo sources to opponents.8 This has in the previous election. For Party to make free use of its led to a formal complaint by the instance, SWAPO Party billboard facilities. It was Auditor General in June 2004. receives more than 70 per cent further reported that in return In response Parliament resolved of the N$15 million allocated the company asked for better that new rules requiring by the State for the funding of business opportunities, in the those political parties that are form of new billboard sites, represented in the current including those belonging to 7 Derived from interviews by a National Assembly. Government. reporter of the Namibian Newspaper with spoke persons of Another avenue for funding some of the political parties. October 13, 2004 political parties is by way of 8 Namibian Newspaper, October 10 Boer, op. cit, pp. 11 11, 2004 9 Boer, op. cit, 10 11 Friday, October 15, 2004
4 election update 2004 N amibia number 1
Media Coverage of the context, it attributed it to the claims that the NBC acts as a Election discretion of its own editorial tool of the ruling party, by policy. Another related bone of pointing to the fact that the Over the years the media in contention is the fact that there principles of proportional Namibia has continued to is an apparent agreement with representation in terms of operate in an environment free all political parties for the which the majority party would of excessive government or allocation of air time on both necessarily get more coverage - ruling party interference, hence television and radio in an and money than other smaller enhancing the role of the media alphabetical order, the parties is a “general principle of at times of election. However, implications of which mean democracy” that is not unique there is a skewed distribution of that for ten days from 5 to Namibia.15 access to various forms of November only the ruling party media, for instance while the will be enjoying coverage up The Presidential Elections number of radios per 1 000 until the actual election dates. people is estimated at 760, This is despite the fact that it The scope for the election of close to one third of Namibian should be UDF and not the President of the Republic of households have access to both SWAPO that be accorded the Namibia is provided under radio and television.12 The last chance if airtime was Article 28 of the Constitution. publicly owned Namibia allocated alphabetically. The It states that the President shall Broadcasting Corporation NBC have justified this on the be elected by direct, universal (NBC) dominates the radio basis of the reasoning that as and equal suffrage; and that no broadcasting terrain. Hence “the UDF is smaller than person shall be elected as access to radio becomes Swapo it would not have as President unless he/she has essential to parties contesting many rallies as Swapo”.14 received more than fifty per elections to reach the voters in cent (50%) of the votes cast and all the corners of the country. This has caused outrage among the necessary number of ballots the opposition parties, which shall be conducted until such The NBC allocates 60 percent dismissed this formula on the result is reached. proportional coverage to all basis that it pre-judges. These parties currently represented in concerns were raised through Every citizen of Namibia by the National Assembly, and 40 the NBC Elections Forum at its birth or descent, over the age of percent is shared by various sessions, however an thirty five (35) years, and who participating political parties. amicable solution could not be is eligible to be elected to office This translates into 150 minutes found. In protest, five as a member of the National being given to Swapo, 31 opposition parties contesting Assembly shall be eligible as minutes to the CoD, 30 minutes the upcoming series of President. to the DTA, 19 to the UDF, elections (CoD, DTA, NUDO, with smaller parties – the RP, NDMC and SWANU) staged a Past Presidential Elections N-MDC and Nudo – all walkout of a session that was receiving 13 minutes of airtime held on Tuesday November 2, The 2004 Presidential elections on the television service.13 The 2004. In the meantime, will be the third to be held in NBC initially claimed that this SWANU, one of the parties Namibia since independence. formula was dictated through without representation in the The founding and incumbent the provision of the Namibia current National Assembly also President Nujoma, who will not Communications Commission threatened to lodge a legal be contesting this election, Act. However, when it later complaint against the formula since he will be going into transpired that these provisions for the allocation of airtime to retirement, has dominated the were not applicable in its political parties. previous two polls. In 1994 he defeated the only other In his response to these candidate, Mishake Mujongo 12 United Nations, Common complaints Prime Minister who contested the election on Country Assessment of Namibia, Theo-Ben Gurirab refuted the ticket of the DTA, the Windhoek: Namib Graphic, 1999) pp. 79 13 New Era Newspaper, 14 New Era Newspaper, 15 New Era Newspaper, Friday Wednesday November 3, 2004 Wednesday November 3, 2004 November 5, 2004
5 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 official opposition then. have previously contested of the votes in a National Mujongo now lives in exile in similar elections in the past. Election, under the highest Denmark, following his The candidates are: remainder method it will have expulsion from the DTA on the to compete for any left over • basis of his alleged Garoeb, Justus (UDF) seats with any other party with involvement in the planning • Kaura, Katuutire (DTA) - a surplus percentages of votes. and staging of the secessionist with 52 752 ballots in his If no other party has a surplus activities in the Caprivi region favour or 10 per cent of the percentage larger than 0.7%, in 1998. total then the party with 36 seats • Mudge, Henk (RP) receives the first of the In the 1999 Presidential • Pohamba, Hifikepunye remaining seats. The next elections the number of (Swapo) remaining seats would also be candidates doubled. President • Pretorius, Kosie (MAG) allocated to the party with the Nujoma cruised to easy victory, • Riruako, Kuaima (Nudo) next highest surplus percentage. after the promulgation of the • Ulenga, Ben (CoD) – who This method enables very small First Constitutional came in second with 56 541 parties who may not obtain the Amendment of 1999, which votes or 11 per cent of the minimum percentage to qualify paved the way for him to serve vote, behind Sam Nujoma for a single seat or one or a few an extra term. The other who collected 414 096 more additional seat(s). candidates were Ben Ulenga for votes, or some 77 per cent the Congress of Democrats of the total poll. Once elected, the duration of (CoD) who came in second, the tenure of the members of followed by Katuutire Kaura of General Elections the National Assembly is five the DTA in third place and years. Justus Garoeb of UDF in the In terms of the provisions of fourth place. Article 46 of the Namibian Past General Elections Constitution, registered voters Table 3: Result of Past Presidential through a general, direct and Table 4: Result of Past General Elections secret ballot electoral process, Elections Results in RESULTS Parties Percentage elect the seventy-two (72)
1989 1994 1999 1994 1999 members of the National S E I
Assembly, which is the main T
Congress of s s s t t t R a a a
chamber. A Democrats - 10.49 e e e (CoD) P % S % S % S Democratic Article 49 prescribes the ACN 3,53 3 - - - - Turnhall 23.08 9.64 CoD - - - - 9.94 7 application of the proportional 20.4 28.55 21 15 9.48 Alliance (DTA) representation system in the DTA 5 7 SWAPO Party of FCN 1.65 1 - - - - 74.46 76.85 election of members of the Namibia National Assembly, hence each MAG - - 0.81 1 0.67 1 United contesting party nominates a NNF 1.65 1 - - - - Democratic - 3.02 NPF 1.65 1 1 - - list of its candidates. A quota 72.7 76.8 57.33 41 53 Front system is applied in the SWAPO 2 5 55 Source: ECN allocation of the preliminary UDF 5.65 4 2,68 2 2.93 2 shares of seats based on the Source: ECN Candidates for the 2004 number of votes received. The Presidential Elections remaining seats are allocated Manifesto of the Parties and according to the highest Candidates Contesting the The number of candidates in remainder method. The highest 2004 General Election the 2004 Presidential elections remainder method is sanctioned has almost doubled compared under Schedule 4/4 of the Congress of Democrats, to that of a similar contest in Namibian Constitution, and received a backing of 53 289 1999. Currently there are seven works as follows: should a voters – 10 per cent of the candidates who have registered party receive 36 of the 72 electorate – in 1999. manifesto to contest the 2004 Presidential elected parliamentary seats, by under the theme “Towards elections. Only two of these virtue of having secured 50.7% Equal Opportunities, Welfare
6 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 and Prosperity for all among other issues it addresses trail, therefore, it has not Namibians” in which it laments peace and social tranquillity as adopted a manifesto. It will not the prevailing conditions of a precondition for substantial be planning any star rallies or poverty, inequality and economic growth. The DTA other types of public meetings, unemployment, the identified poverty is the major neither doe it have any deteriorating quality of threat to peace and social intention of going into the field healthcare, increasing cost of tranquillity. Economic growth to recruit members. Instead, it education, growing trend is proposed as a remedy to this opted for what is termed knock- towards corruption and self- situation. The manifesto argues and-drop mail in every mailbox enrichment by political and that since independence, the as the means of disseminating bureaucratic elites, trend country has not experienced pamphlets, the only tangible towards ethnic and tribal any significant rate of campaign material the party is favouritism and nepotism that economic growth and this is using. Since the majority of the are becoming hallmarks of state attributed to state interference voters do not have access to institutions. in the economy and unwise and private post office boxes, this uncontrolled spending of tax “cost effective” strategy In order to deal with these payer’s money. As alternatives, provides direct assess to only anomalies, it promises to the DTA proposes to raise the 5.6 per cent of voters. restructure the ownership and capital required for management of the country’s development through Namibia Movement for natural endowments, by communal agricultural land Democratic Change, no working towards ensuring that reform, economic and trade manifesto could be found, communities work as trusts and liberalisation, despite the fact therefore no analysis could be cooperatives to obtain a that the party also proposes to provided. shareholding in those tighten immigration laws and companies allocated licenses to procedures. The creation of an National Unity Democratic exploit these resources. To environment conducive to Organisation, was founded in eradicate poverty the party collaboration between the 1964 and became part of the promises to introduce basic various social partners in the DTA in 1978. NUDO has income grants for the economy is also identified as contested both the 1989 unemployed and all those in being a pre-requisite for transitional elections, as well as low-income categories. Other achieving growth. The party all previous subsequent social welfare issues addressed further reasons, through its elections under the umbrella of in the manifesto include manifesto, that the maintenance the DTA. Some members broke education, health, housing, and consolidation of freedom away from the DTA and access to water and electricity. and democracy are essential registered as an independent It believes in a fast track, yet ingredients for achieving party in 2004. NUDO officially integrated, sustainable land economic growth and reduction launched its election manifesto reform programme, in terms of of poverty. The DTA also for the 2004 parliamentary and which un- and under-utilised acknowledges the impact of presidential polls on October state and absentee and local HIV/AIDS on Namibian 11, 2004. Among the key issues owned land will be allocated to society. However, although the addressed in the manifesto are those in need of land, for manifesto described the advocacy for a government of productive use. This will be pandemic as a humanitarian national unity, job creation, done on the basis of ancestral crisis of frightening rural water supply problems land claims as well as the proportions, it has not and the scourge of HIV/AIDS prioritisation of current farm sufficiently addressed the that is wreaking havoc across workers. Also, it promises to options that the party will the country. The document also ensure that budgetary pursue should the voters put it addresses matters pertaining to allocations for land acquisitions in the driving seat of land reform and resettlement by will be significantly increased government. pledging to expedite the process of land re-distribution DTA of Namibia, - its Monitor Action Group – the and resettlement. This, it states, manifesto was released under party has shied away from will be achieved by the title “You Deserve Better”, going on a traditional campaign accelerating the process of
7 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 repossession of land owned by unit with full powers, in order devolution of power to regional absentee landlords through to eradicate corruption and local structures of available legal channels, as well completely; secondly to ensure government, as well as to as the development of corrupt government leaders, redress the confusion that underdeveloped and political office-bearers and characterises the underutilised virgin land in business people pay for their administration, management communal areas into new actions. The RP declared the and recognition of traditional farming units of between 2 500 Land Reform Plan of the authorities. Furthermore, it and 3500 hectares to be used present government as being a pledges to provide affordable for resettlement purposes. On total failure, and has fuelled and adequate social amenities the same issue, the party also uncertainty, however instead of such as water, electricity, and pledges to use the N$ 100 stating in clear terms what it sewerage. The party voiced million allocated the Lands will do if elected, it rather opted concern about the erosion of the Ministry to buy commercial to urge government to devise a demarcation of responsibilities farms that have been a problem final and sustainable Land between the Legislature and the in the past several years Reform Plan, which will benefit Executive, due to the because of the present all of Namibia’s inhabitants, in encroachment resulting from government’s willing seller, terms of which the principle of the overcrowding of the latter willing buyer principle. “willing buyer, willing seller” within the operational should be upheld, and that land jurisdiction of the former. Republican Party was part of should be purchased at market Hence, the SWANU cabinet the DTA in the last Presidential value, while the expropriation will be comprised of a limited and National Assembly of farms must be based on clear number of ministries with a elections but left the alliance to criteria and be subjected to a maximum of 15. With regard to contest on their own. The RP fair compensation. The RP land, SWANU advocates the believe that the Namibian further proposes the proper repossession of what was nation must be led in such a selection of candidates for illegally taken from the people way as to ensure that every resettlement, and that such through a holistic approach that citizen lives in such a manner upcoming farmers must be will ensure that all beneficiaries that it will be evident that he or accorded every assistance will be provided with proper she acknowledges Almighty possible from government to and sufficient land, as well as God by loving, respecting and ensure their success. the necessary services, supporting each other. institutions, equipment and Therefore, it sees its mission as implements. The foreign policy being one of raising a new Swanu, said to be Namibia’s under a SWANU government generation of God-fearing oldest political party, launched will be informed by the leaders of integrity, dedicated its manifesto for the 2004 principles of Pan Africanism, to serving the nation. If elected elections on Wednesday African Nationalism and to power the RP promises to October 20, 2004, in which it international solidarity against address the wave of crime by provided a detailed historical capitalism and imperialism, yet ensuring that there is outline; as well as overview of it expresses support for the neo- appropriate legislation in place its guiding political and liberal ideals of NEPAD. and that members of the police ideological principles, which force must be properly trained, include democracy, socialism Swapo Party – having receive better salaries and be and revolution. It strives to collected 408 174 – accounting taught to treat the population foster unity of nationalist and for 76 per cent of the total in with respect. Perhaps the RP leftist political forces of society the last general election, has realised that its chance to in its crusade to confront what SWAPO seem to be the only take over government is slim, it termed “the evils and legacy party that is approaching these hence it pledges to do left behind by colonial elections with confidence. It everything in its power, to apartheid and the post- has unveiled the most extensive convince the government: independence decade of greed manifesto, not only from the firstly, to urgently work and corruption”. In terms of its perspective that it is 75 pages in towards the establishment of an vision for Namibia, it express length, but from the variety of autonomous anti-corruption its commitment towards the issues covered and the depth of
8 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 coverage in terms of systematic HIV/AIDS. On land reform, the presentation. President Sam Finally the document deals with manifesto promises a plan Nujoma provided the prelude of the building of a vibrant under which contractual almost seven pages, in which economy as well as promotion agreements will be entered into he summarises the key of prudent fiscal management between white farmers and achievements of his party and and strengthening of productive their farm workers in terms of its government. The body of the sectors. In this regard, SWAPO which parts of farms will be document outlines the current argues that the framework for redistributed to a generational programmes of government promoting economic growth farm worker. Under this (their successes and and job creation over the next sharecropping arrangement the challenges), before charting the five years is already in place. UDF envisages conditions vision and commitments of the Among the listed sectors and under which commercial party for the next five years. programmes are the farmers will utilise labour from The first issues dealt with are development and the affirmative action farmer peace, democracy and good diversification of agronomic while the latter will use the governance as pre-requisites for production, the green scheme other's equipment at a cost. guaranteeing the right of choice for the development of Under this plan the UDF for all Namibian people, as well irrigation projects along the government will pledge to as their access to opportunities. Zambezi, Kavango, Kunene assist employers by paying 50 In this regard the policy of and Orange rivers, aquaculture per cent of the salaries for their decentralisation and the and maricultural development, workers for two years. In programme for the as well as the consolidation of return, the employer will be development of regional and gains accruing from the policy obliged to guarantee at least local areas is accorded of black economic five years of employment to the prominence. The manifesto empowerment in the fisheries workers. The UDF manifesto furthermore deals with the sector. The party also pledges also promises to use about building of a socially just to reduce the budget deficit N$1,2 billion to be raised society, through the from the current average of 5% through income tax for the rich, acceleration of the acquisition to 3% over the next five years, increased alcohol tax, heavy tax of land for the resettlement of without reducing investment in for environmentally unfriendly landless communities, as well the social sector, as well as the industries and payment of as the broadening of the scale achievement of a debt ratio dividends from parastatals, to and scope of the programmes reduction from 30% to below bank-roll a four-year plan to designed to provide them with 25 % of the GDP. create 100 000 jobs. the necessary productive and environmental management UDF –three weeks before the Regional Elections skills. Also discussed under the elections the UDF launched its building of a socially just election manifesto under the For some time, uncertainty society, are the advancement of theme: Society back to the prevailed regarding the actual gender equality and equity, and people – people back to the timing of the Regional Council addressing the plight of orphans society. The document starts by elections. This was partly due and other vulnerable children highlighting what it termed to a proposal for the through the establishment of a unpleasant facts about Namibia, simultaneous holding of the fund, provision of housing, ranging from inequality, death, local and regional elections, in building a healthy nation, and unemployment, youth in crisis, an attempt to save costs and the promotion of quality HIV/AIDS: message not counter voter apathy. Hence a education for all. The manifesto understood, women under constitutional amendment bill also deliberates on the capital threat and the persistence of was introduced in the National infrastructural rehabilitation colonialism. This is followed Assembly in June 2003 to and development that is by an expression of readiness to shorten the term of office of the necessary for the facilitation of make national reconciliation a Regional Councillors from six the provision of water and reality, and a pledge of war for to five years. However, the electricity, as well as for family values by fighting National Council, which is the transportation and against alcohol and drug abuse, house of review and whose communication. sexual misbehaviour and members would have been
9 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 directly affected by this change, Other parties that have (CCN) and the Non unanimously resolved to registered candidates Governmental Organisation withhold its support of the bill. • The Congress of Democrats Forum (NANGOF) paved the This lack of agreement cast a (CoD) in 88 constituencies; way in the Southern African temporary shadow of • The DTA of Namibia in 67 region by mobilising a team of uncertainty on the scheduling constituencies; volunteers from local of Regional Council elections. • Despite the fact that it was communities to monitor these The path was cleared when in reported that four National elections. November 2003, a second Unity Democratic attempt was made when the Organisation (Nudo) Two years earlier, in Deputy Prime Minister members were denied preparation for the 2004 proposed, in the National registration due to their late elections, individual civil Assembly, the holding of these arrival at the registration society actors, in collaboration elections towards the end of points, the party has with the ECN, launched a 2004 or early in 2005. managed to register in 35 broad-based civic and voter constituencies; The education programme. This was There are 13 regions, each Republican Party (RP) in followed by the unveiling of the made up of between six and 33 constituencies; Namibia Election Observation twelve constituencies. There • the United Democratic Coalition by members of are 107 constituencies in total. Front (UDF) in 21; NANGOF who are working in • The Namibia Democratic the Human Rights and Past Regional elections Movement for Change Governance sector. Although a (NDMC) in 19; and number of foreign development Representation at the regional • The South West Africa partners such as HIVOS, US level of government has been National Union (Swanu) Embassy, EISA and the Finnish shared between three parties, will contest elections only Embassy have been which are SWAPO, the DTA in 9 constituencies.16 forthcoming in making and UDF. contributions in cash and kind
Two independent candidates to this initiative, the lack of Table 5: Result of Past Regional resources has forced civil Elections have registered for the Regional society actors to scale down on Parties Percentage Council elections. Ernst the number of observers to be Constituencies Jacobus de Waal will stand as trained and deployed in the Controlled independent candidate for the upcoming election from 900 to 1992 1998 Rehoboth Rural constituency, 270. DTA 22.11 15.69 and Gad Zeamburura SWAPO 74.74 8039 Kamapunga will run for the UDF 3.16 3.02 Okakarara Urban Constituency. Other factors that are likely to Source: ECN undermine the impact of this Civil Society Participation initiative are: the actual work of 2004 Regional Elections sensitising, mobilising and Since the 1999 Presidential and training observers at Swapo is the only party that General elections, Namibian community level commenced registered to contest these civil society has not only been late; the initiative has taken on elections in all of the 107 taking a keen interest in a low profile due to an Regional Council elections, but has also gone out inadequate publicity campaign constituencies. Since it is the of its way to contribute towards and insufficient media only party that registered to ensuring that elections in coverage. Moreover, the contest elections in the Namibia are equitable, free and Coalition hoped that it would Oranjemund, Anamulenge, fair. During the 1999 elections be given the status of domestic Otamanzi and Eengodi a civil society coalition under monitors in order for it to constituencies by the the joint leadership of the actively contribute towards the registration deadline of October Council of Churches Namibia success of the elections. 22, 2004, it has automatically However, the ECN feared that won these constituencies. 16 The Namibian Newspaper, this could lead to interference Thursday October 25 and 28, 2004 that would be detrimental to the
10 election update 2004 N amibia number 1 credibility of the electoral activities as enshrined in the process. Namibian constitution.
Other contributions are those of Despite not being legally the National Society for Human enforceable, the Code signifies Rights (NSHR), that started a moral commitment to the monitoring the electoral process prevention and management of by dispatching its human rights electoral conflict that may arise monitors to supplementary from time to time. Since 1994, voter registration points, as well avenues were created for as to campaign rallies of dealing with concerns arising political parties to monitor the from breaches of this code at extent to which parties are weekly meetings of the ECN shouldering their responsibility with political party towards ensuring an representatives. atmosphere for the free expression of political However, as noted earlier a conviction, without threat or study by MRCC reported that fear of intimidation. close to forty percent (40%) of those interviewed for the Framework for Election Expert Panel Survey showed Conflict Prevention and that these measures have Management provided reasonably good, rather than full, security to all In terms of section 43 of the parties. 1992 Electoral Act the ECN initiated a process of negotiation that culminated in the signing, by all registered political parties, of a Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct for Political Parties recognises the fact that free and fair elections hinge on the freedom of political campaigning. This is interpreted not only as implying the right of expression of political conviction, without threat or fear of intimidation, but equally as carrying responsibility for the freedom of others to express their own and independent opinion. A key obligation bestowed by the Code of Conduct on parties contesting elections, is for them to issue directives to their members and supporters to observe the provisions of this Code. The parties must also take other proactive, necessary measures to ensure the wider publication and acceptance of the spirit of the free political
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