NID
Public Discussion: Independent Candidates
Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) hosted an event to discuss independent candidates at the College of the Arts (COTA) in Katutura on the 19thof June 2019. The event was well attended and well received by all in attendance.
2019 is an election year and given recent events that took place in Ondangwa with independent candidate Angelina Immanuel who received 1404 votes in the by-election. She lost to the SWAPO candidate who received 1936 votes declaring him the winner.
There is a general lack of political interest amongst the youth, and was evident when asked who is going to vote in the 2019 election? Only a few hands answered in the affirmative. When asked why, some of the responses echoed the sentiment of “it depends how long the line is” or “what’s the difference?”
Ndapwa Alweendo from the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) was the speaker at the event. A representative from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was due to attend but unfortunately cancelled at the last minute. Nevertheless, Ndapwa held down the fort by engaging the youth in a very important conversation that we as Namibians need to be having.
Ndapwa posed a question to the audience about what they thought of the independent candidates. Simon Kaluma opined that, “it provides an alternative and it’s a good idea and you should just do it.” Ndapwa look the participants through a checklist of what one might need if they were to run as an independent for president.
A deposit of N$ 10 000 must be made by the candidate with the State Revenue Fund, as well have lodged 500 registered voters in each region backing the candidate which amounts to 7000 voters backing the candidate. What became apparent is the greater burden placed on an independent candidate when garnering the support of registered voters.
A candidate that has been nominated by a political party must deposit N$ 20 000, however the number of registered voters supporting the candidate are much fewer in number. A political party needs only 3500 registered voters evenly distributed among a minimum of seven regions. The burden placed upon a political party is much lower in comparison.
In her interactive discussion with the audience, Ndapwa said that “In a democratic country the people should be allowed to practice in politics.” The question was posed if elected officials are for the people? Ndapwa responded with “the people in power need to know what the people want. The age of government officials is a problem, because it is much higher than 35. Which makes things difficult.”
Ndapwa emphasised that the youth are between a rock and hard place. The systems in place are not ideally suited for independent candidates. Some in the audience argued that government is out of touch with what the people want and need. Which alienates people who subsequently decide government is not for them.
A knock-on effect leads many people to stay home and not go to the polls and have their voice heard .On one end of the spectrum you have those will vote, on the other end of the spectrum we have individuals deliberately choosing to stay home to make a political statement.
It must be noted that such a political statement may have dire consequences for the citizenry at large. Abandoning your constitutional right to vote, gives up your right to choose. Given Namibia’s colonial and Apartheid past there was a time when voting rights were reserved for a select few.
Those who make it to the polls come election day, make the decision on behalf of those who opted to stay home and make a statement. Consequently, the citizenry is inherently stuck with decision made on their behalf for the next 5 years, because of not having gone to the polls come election day. If you do not like what your government is doing, change it. In closing Ndapwa said “Don’t give up your power!”
