Court to rule Monday on Windhoek council ballot dispute

On Monday, 10 November, the Electoral Court is scheduled to hand down its decision on a petition from the Khomas Residents and Rate Payers Association seeking to take part in the Windhoek City Council election set for 26 November. A panel led by Deputy Judge President Hannelie Prinsloo, with judges Orben Sibeya and Beatrix de Jager, heard oral arguments on Thursday. The association urged the court to require the Electoral Commission of Namibia to accept candidate nominations on physical forms rather than via its internet portal. Association secretary general Shaun Gariseb said the group was unable to access the portal before the 16 October deadline. The association’s lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo, argued on its behalf, while Jabulani Ncube represented the commission. The group also asked the court to declare the portal-only requirement unlawful. The court reserved its ruling after hearing all submissions.

In a sworn statement, ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua said nominations could be filed electronically or in person with the returning officer for the Windhoek local authority election. She noted the association did not deliver its candidate list to the returning officer by the 11 a.m. cut-off and attempted to submit it at ECN headquarters after that time. The commission further maintained that the matter belonged before the Windhoek Electoral Tribunal and that no specific ECN decision had been identified for review. The court’s judgment will be announced on Monday.