The Electoral Court in Windhoek has rejected an application from the Khomas Residents and Rate Payers Association, which sought to compel the Electoral Commission of Namibia to register its candidates for the upcoming city council election. The court ruled it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
The association had argued it was unable to access the commission's online nomination portal on the required date. It requested the court to order the electoral body to accept a physical nomination form instead. Electoral Commission Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua stated in an affidavit that candidates could be nominated either online or by submitting a physical form to the returning officer. She noted the association missed the submission deadline and delivered its list to the wrong office.
Judges Hannelie Prinsloo, Orben Sibeya, and Beatrix de Jager unanimously dismissed the application after hearing oral arguments last week.
The association had argued it was unable to access the commission's online nomination portal on the required date. It requested the court to order the electoral body to accept a physical nomination form instead. Electoral Commission Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua stated in an affidavit that candidates could be nominated either online or by submitting a physical form to the returning officer. She noted the association missed the submission deadline and delivered its list to the wrong office.
Judges Hannelie Prinsloo, Orben Sibeya, and Beatrix de Jager unanimously dismissed the application after hearing oral arguments last week.
