Namibia's Electoral Commission faced sharp criticism after correcting its premature declaration of a regional council winner in the Nkurenkuru constituency of the Kavango West region. The Electoral Court on Friday ruled the commission must hold the election after a Swapo candidate was wrongly declared victor on October 16, while another candidate's name remained on the official nomination portal.
The court found that the Affirmative Repositioning candidate, Naomi Rebbekka, was properly nominated to contest against Swapo's Tenga Ndara. Returning officer Kawana Muronga had excluded Rebbekka despite her valid submission to the commission's portal. The constituency will proceed with both candidates competing on November 26.
Affirmative Repositioning spokesperson George Kambala questioned the commission's competence after the error. He said the mistake revealed institutional weaknesses and raised concerns about undetected errors elsewhere. The commission sought court intervention to reverse the declaration, recognizing that it lacked the authority to correct such mistakes independently.
The court found that the Affirmative Repositioning candidate, Naomi Rebbekka, was properly nominated to contest against Swapo's Tenga Ndara. Returning officer Kawana Muronga had excluded Rebbekka despite her valid submission to the commission's portal. The constituency will proceed with both candidates competing on November 26.
Affirmative Repositioning spokesperson George Kambala questioned the commission's competence after the error. He said the mistake revealed institutional weaknesses and raised concerns about undetected errors elsewhere. The commission sought court intervention to reverse the declaration, recognizing that it lacked the authority to correct such mistakes independently.
