ECN, parties draw swords over ballot procurement

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is expected to meet with political parties on Wednesday.

This is to iron out the issue of whether or not to procure the ballot papers via public open bidding or emergency procurement.

This was revealed by a high-placed source.

The ECN met with political party representatives on Tuesday, where it presented its decision to abort public procurement by asking the finance ministry to greenlight emergency procurement.

Landless People’s Movement representative councillor Ivan Skrywer questioned the commission’s move, which resulted in serious disagreements.

This saw Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa leaving the meeting, says a source who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of victimisation.

“The concern from councillor Skrywer is really that there’s an election calendar that the ECN has been working on since the beginning of the year, and they knew about the open bidding procurement process that has been on the calendar all along.”

“He asked why, after some Swapo members met with the Zimbabwean president, all of a sudden, there must be a change in procurement?” says the source.

ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka confirmed the meeting took place but could not comment on the commission’s push for emergency procurement of the ballot papers.

“We had a meeting, and everything discussed there is confidential,” he said before cutting the call.

The commission is said to be pushing for an end to the public bidding process before the 9 October, but several other parties have expressed fears that the decision may be challenged by bidders in court.

“The meeting actually collapsed when Ivan Skrywer said they need a day to consult and get a legal opinion if needed, but the commission didn’t want that, citing time constraints. The meeting was divided, and it almost ended really badly. So, the meeting will reconvene today at 10h00,” the source added.

Skrywer, whose phone has been unreachable, was backed by Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu, who also challenged the commission’s change of goalposts.

Some attendees at the meeting expressed their discomfort with consulting finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi, who recently made it onto the Swapo party list of parliamentarians at the electoral college.

“The minister they want to consult on the way forward is a Swapo member partaking in the upcoming elections too. How can we trust them with direct procurement?” said another party leader who attended the meeting.

“The ECN intends to seek an exemption from the Ministry of Finance to bypass the standard procurement process. Such actions undermine public confidence in the electoral system, as well as the principles of fairness and accountability that should govern elections in a democratic nation.”

Another party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said with only a few days remaining, this attempt to circumvent the procurement process raises serious concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.

“The timing and decision to cancel the tender invite skepticism, as it denies qualified bidders a fair opportunity and could open the door to questionable practices that could compromise the legitimacy of the elections,” he said.

He added: “We call upon the ECN to remain committed to a transparent and accountable process, ensuring that the printing of ballots is handled with the highest standards of fairness.

“The public deserves assurance that no backdoor deals or rushed decisions will taint the outcome of the elections. We also urge the Ministry of Finance to resist granting any exemptions that could jeopardise the fairness of this essential electoral process. We can’t afford to go to war. If the commission is not ready, elections should be postponed with immediate effect.”

In the meantime, Independent Patriots for Change general secretary Christine Aochamus confirmed today’s meeting, and only after that will the party comment publicly on the matter.

“It would be premature for me to make a determination. We have advanced our position. We asked for time to consult. We will have another meeting today. I am on my way to the ECN,” she said.

Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said the commission must prove why emergency procurement is necessary.

“We will meet at 10h00 and hear exactly what the ECN wants to do, and then we can comment fully. We must be given reasons beyond reasonable doubt that they really need emergency procurement. So, I think today’s meeting will give us a clear direction,” he said.