DTA in bid to block Grootfontein poll

THE DTA plans to file an urgent application in the High Court in a bid to stop this month’s by-election at Grootfontein.

Lawyer for the opposition party, Charles Visser, confirmed last night that papers were submitted on Friday through the Deputy Sheriff to be served on all parties involved in the by-election. The election is scheduled to take place on February 12.Visser said the DTA was challenging the participation of Nudo (National Unity Democratic Movement), which it argues was registered illegally by Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako.He said the case could be in court by Thursday, but declined to provide more details.The DTA earlier vowed to challenge Nudo’s registration as a political party.The Electoral Commission registered Nudo as a party at the end of last year after its long-serving president, Riruako, declared the organisation would no longer be a part of the DTA.DTA President Katuutire Kaura and some Nudo members in the DTA have argued that Riruako did not have the right to remove the party from the opposition group.The High Court application is expected to be served against the Electoral Commission and four political parties taking part in the Grootfontein by-election.The seat in the north-eastern town became vacant after President Sam Nujoma appointed Grace Uushona, Councillor for Grootfontein and Otjozondjupa Governor, as ambassador to Cuba.The election is scheduled to take place on February 12. Visser said the DTA was challenging the participation of Nudo (National Unity Democratic Movement), which it argues was registered illegally by Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako. He said the case could be in court by Thursday, but declined to provide more details. The DTA earlier vowed to challenge Nudo’s registration as a political party. The Electoral Commission registered Nudo as a party at the end of last year after its long-serving president, Riruako, declared the organisation would no longer be a part of the DTA. DTA President Katuutire Kaura and some Nudo members in the DTA have argued that Riruako did not have the right to remove the party from the opposition group. The High Court application is expected to be served against the Electoral Commission and four political parties taking part in the Grootfontein by-election. The seat in the north-eastern town became vacant after President Sam Nujoma appointed Grace Uushona, Councillor for Grootfontein and Otjozondjupa Governor, as ambassador to Cuba.