By A Correspondent
In a statement on Saturday, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) presidential candidate Panduleni Itula, who is competing against SWAPO’s Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, announced that the party intends to challenge the election results in court.
“Tonight, I address you as our nation faces a moment of great uncertainty. Of the total number of ballots cast between the 27th and today, the 30th of November, only 160,000 have been counted and released.
Thousands of ballots remain locked away, their fate unknown, while polling agents across the country await orders from their superiors regarding ballots under their care, as they wait for the next steps to have the results announced.
Polling stations, unlawfully designated as voting centers, continue processing votes under a cloud of illegitimacy.
For the first time in Namibia’s history, and perhaps in the history of elections themselves, votes are being cast concurrently with vote counting and results publication.
Furthermore, the voting process has been marred by:
Widespread disenfranchisement, with voters turned away due to a lack of ballot papers.
Brazen voter suppression, silencing the voices of Namibians yearning for change.
The undermining of the Electoral Act and its core principles governing the entire electoral process.
In light of these grave irregularities, I have consulted with the leadership of the IPC, and we have reached an unshakable decision: The IPC will not recognize or accept the outcome of this deeply flawed process. Whether the results declare a win, a runoff, or a loss, we will seek to nullify this election in the courts.
The electoral malpractices are glaring, undeniable, and unacceptable. This is not about us. This is not about me. This is about Namibia.
As the IPC, we stand firm in our resolve to join forces with other parties to nullify this election. Namibians deserve the right to freely and fairly choose their leaders.
I call upon all citizens to document the irregularities. Share videos, reports, and evidence with your parties. Let us expose the truth and reclaim the integrity of our democracy.