ECN defends chief elections shortlist, despite retirement concerns

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has defended the shortlisted candidates for the chief of elections position, despite concerns that the list is dominated by people nearing retirement age or those who have already retired.

The ECN yesterday announced the list of five candidates vying for the position occupied by Theo Mujoro since September 2018.

The all male candidates are ECN director of operations Petrus Shaama (58); Helmut Nawaseb (59), a legal officer in the president’s office; former academic Vincent Ntema Sazita (63); director at the Office of the Prime Minister Oscar Muyatwa (51); and former research director at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management Michael Tjivikua (61).

Independent Patriots for Change spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge yesterday questioned the selection.

“It does not make sense because we have capable individuals of employable age who should be given opportunities.

“Maybe the law says so, but again, the law must be consistent, because the employment age standard is below 60,” Nashinge said.

However, Nashinge acknowledged that the Electoral Act does not specify eligibility in terms of age for the position of chief electoral officer.

ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua told The Namibian yesterday she is unconcerned about the age of candidates.

“As long as the person is fit and proper for the job, that’s what matters,” she said, adding that it is not uncommon for the ECN to have a chief electoral officer of advanced age. She named previous ECN chief Paul Isaak, who was appointed in 2013 by former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.

“We don’t have control over that. We looked at the pool that we have, and we drew from that pool. I don’t see any reason why we cannot give them a chance,” she said.

The ECN has issued a notice that a meeting to interview the candidates has been scheduled for 30 June.
According to Nghikembua, the interviews will be open to the public, and members of the public can object to any of the shortlisted candidates in writing.

She, therefore, called on members of the public to participate in the selection process.

“I would like to encourage Namibians to take an interest in electoral matters. We want as many people as possible to come and attend the interviews, which are public interviews. It’s in the interest of the nation that there is transparency, so that people will really know that everything that the commission has done is above board,” said Nghikembua.

ABSENCE OF WOMEN

Nghikembua noted that despite women being encouraged to apply, only one woman did so.

“It was really our wish, you know. We are two women on the commission. [We wished] to have more women applying for the position, but it didn’t play out like that. The reasons – I don’t know,” she said.

Social activist Rosa Namises has also expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of gender diversity amoung candidates.

“It is very sad that five men are standing,” she said, adding that it is unfortunate that the ECN executive office has always been dominated by men.

As a result, Namises said she is considering evoking the Electoral Act to lodge an objection to stop the shortlisted candidates from being interviewed.

“I am looking at the possible objection, if I can find some guidance, because there is a possibility that we can say ‘can you hold on a bit, and let’s look for women to apply or something’,” she said.