WINDHOEK – The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has publicly declared its neutrality in the ongoing leadership disputes within the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), following allegations of interference from a former party member.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the commission maintains that it does not engage in the internal dynamics of political parties. This statement comes in response to claims by former RDP parliamentarian Kandy Nehova, who accused the ECN of unduly influencing party affairs by recognizing Mike Kavekotora as a parliamentary representative despite internal disagreements over his legitimacy. Nehova alleges that Kavekotora, who stepped down from his parliamentary role in March 2024, did not secure the requisite 51 percent of votes in the party’s June 2019 internal elections, contrary to the RDP’s constitution.
Siluka emphasized that the ECN’s role is limited to regulatory compliance, ensuring that parties and their representatives meet the criteria set forth in the Electoral Act 05 of 2014. He added that Mike Kavekotora was officially nominated as the presidential candidate of the RDP by the party’s authorized representative in 2019, aligning with these legal requirements.
The controversy has extended to legal arenas, with RDP’s legal secretary Amanda Titus noting that the Electoral Court declined jurisdiction over their complaint in 2019, directing them instead to approach the tribunal court. Titus highlighted that this legal confusion is compounded by their claims that the court delayed proceedings significantly, taking nearly four years to organize.
In the midst of these legal and political entanglements, the ECN advises any disputing factions within parties to seek resolution through the appropriate judicial channels, specifically the Electoral Court or tribunal courts, to handle such intra-party disputes.