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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 24110, member: 2262"] Swapo Leader Claims Constitutional Breaches Led to Election Losses. Former Cabinet minister Jerry Ekandjo says Swapo's disregard for its constitution caused the party to lose 12 National Assembly seats in recent elections. In a letter to party secretary Sophia Shaningwa, Ekandjo criticized plans to endorse vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as party president at the February 28 extraordinary congress. "The term 'endorsement' does not exist in the Swapo party constitution," Ekandjo said. He noted all leadership positions must face contested elections, from local sections up to the central committee. The party failed to call an extraordinary congress within three months after former president Hage Geingob's death, breaking Article 15(9) of its constitution, according to Ekandjo. He met with Shaningwa after Geingob's passing to discuss constitutional requirements. Swapo's parliament seats dropped from 63 to 51 in the 2024 elections. "These constitutional violations contributed to losing parliamentary seats," Ekandjo said, urging the central committee to "restore dignity" through proper procedures. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah sees signs of party division. "They created this dilemma. The vice president position remains vacant, which breaks constitutional procedure," he said. Analyst Erika Thomas questioned Ekandjo's motives. "He stayed quiet when former president Geingob took power similarly. His concerns seem inconsistent," she said, suggesting potential gender bias in his opposition. Shaningwa has not responded to requests for comment on Ekandjo's letter. [/QUOTE]

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