Prospective ECN members interviewed

An independent selection committee conducted public interviews in the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday with nine out of the 13 candidates for Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) commissioner positions.

The committee will make recommendations to President Hage Geingob on who the most suitable candidates would be to complete the commission, which consists of five members. This will precede the president announcing his recommendations to the Speaker, and the NA will appoint the new members by March of this year.

List grows shorter

According to committee chairperson Batseba Katjiuongua, a member of the Public Service Commission, this was the final step in a lengthy process to narrow down almost thirty applications to the thirteen names published in the government gazette. The committee will propose five or six names, depending on the scoring of the candidates, she added.

Accompanying her were committee members Zaa Nashandi from the Public Accounts and Auditors Board, the High Court's Sebastian Kandunda, deputy chair Neli Tjahikika from the Law Society of Namibia, and Harmoni Beukes from the Namibian Qualifications Authority.

Each posed specific questions to the candidates during the interviews, adding additional questions based on their responses.

Candidates in the spotlight

Vilyo Ndapopiwa was the first candidate interviewed last week, followed by Simeon Nghipandwa, Elago Filippus, Rakkel Andreas, Fillepus Kambonde, Evaristus Evaristus, Pius Iikwambi, Linus Simataa and Gerson Tjihenuna.

Tjihenuna and Evaristus are applying to extend their terms as ECN members after their terms expired last year. Piteimo Hainyanyula, Sarah Negumbo, Hannu Shipena, and Pinias Kashedi are the applicants who did not participate in the interviews.

Katjiuongua inquired about the candidates' qualifications and why they believed the committee should recommend their names to the president. Nashandi wanted to know about the role of the ECN and the prospective commissioners in the event of an election dispute, referencing the 2019 Supreme Court case. The Supreme Court decision was at the heart of Beukes' repeated question, while Tjahikika sought an example of how each candidate's integrity had been tested and how they handled it.

Candidate responses

During his interview, Napopiwa highlighted concerns about a lack of voter education, among other talking points.

Andreas, a political scientist and former journalist, said: "Elections rest on trust." She also emphasised the utmost importance of political parties being accountable for public funding.

Kambonde noted that, in his view, contested elections are avoided through voter and civic education by approaching stakeholders and informing them about what the law requires. Polling stations should record incidents, and issues should be brought before the relevant courts. "Honesty, justice, plus transparency equal integrity," he said.

Evaristus told the committee: "Perceptions matter in elections. Commissioners must be independent because you serve different people with different interests," he said.

Iikwambi emphasised that commissioners "must play an independent and impartial role."

During his interview, Simataa highlighted a concern about the ongoing decline in voter turnout over the years.

Tjihenuna, the oldest candidate, noted: "The 2024 elections will be the most competitive since independence. Experience will be a key factor."