Fear and intimidation ‘threaten free and fair elections at Eenhana’

THE newly formed Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) has objected to the Eenhana by-election being held on March 28 because of alleged intimidation by Swapo against RDP members.

The RDP registered a formal complaint at the Eenhana Magistrate’s Court on Monday against the Governor of the Ohangwena Region. It stems from Governor Usko Nghaamwa’s alleged instructions to village headmen not to allow RDP members into their villages or to chase them away.The Eenhana constituency is scheduled to have a by-election on March 28 following the resignation of Karlous Shinohamba as councillor.Headmen were allegedly also told to inform villagers that people belonging to the RDP or supporting the party, would “suffer consequences.”Describing these acts of alleged intimidation as a gross violation of the Electoral Act, RDP Regional Secretary for the Ohangwena Region, Joseph Haluendo, objected to the holding of the March 28 by-election under such conditions.In the letter, Halueendo informed the Magistrate’s Court that Governor Nghaamwa on March 3 held a meeting with all headmen of the Eenhana Constituency where the instructions were given.Halueendo further alleged that Nghaamwa told the headmen to swear absolute allegiance to Swapo.”This is a gross violation of the Election Code of Conduct and a contravention to the Electoral Act,” the letter said.”We therefore would like to forthwith launch an objection for the Eenhana by-election to be held on March 28 until such misdeeds are corrected and the playing field levelled for parties to campaign freely without any intimidation, obstructions, violence and disturbances,” the RDP wrote.The letter cited three incidents at different villages in the constituency last week.At Onambutu an “angry mob” prevented RDP members from campaigning in the area.At Oshangu village, the local headman allegedly told RDP members he had “received orders from Eenhana” that RDP should not campaign there and required a permit from the Ondonga Traditional Authority.”At Omishe, a group of Swapo supporters in their 4 x 4 pickups followed RDP members and parked close to where the RDP was supposed to conduct a meeting, whilst playing loud music in their cars,” the letter stated.Yesterday, RDP Acting President, Hidipo Hamutenya told journalists: “The situation in the central North is tense and gets more ugly by the day.”It stems from Governor Usko Nghaamwa’s alleged instructions to village headmen not to allow RDP members into their villages or to chase them away.The Eenhana constituency is scheduled to have a by-election on March 28 following the resignation of Karlous Shinohamba as councillor.Headmen were allegedly also told to inform villagers that people belonging to the RDP or supporting the party, would “suffer consequences.”Describing these acts of alleged intimidation as a gross violation of the Electoral Act, RDP Regional Secretary for the Ohangwena Region, Joseph Haluendo, objected to the holding of the March 28 by-election under such conditions.In the letter, Halueendo informed the Magistrate’s Court that Governor Nghaamwa on March 3 held a meeting with all headmen of the Eenhana Constituency where the instructions were given.Halueendo further alleged that Nghaamwa told the headmen to swear absolute allegiance to Swapo.”This is a gross violation of the Election Code of Conduct and a contravention to the Electoral Act,” the letter said.”We therefore would like to forthwith launch an objection for the Eenhana by-election to be held on March 28 until such misdeeds are corrected and the playing field levelled for parties to campaign freely without any intimidation, obstructions, violence and disturbances,” the RDP wrote.The letter cited three incidents at different villages in the constituency last week.At Onambutu an “angry mob” prevented RDP members from campaigning in the area.At Oshangu village, the local headman allegedly told RDP members he had “received orders from Eenhana” that RDP should not campaign there and required a permit from the Ondonga Traditional Authority.”At Omishe, a group of Swapo supporters in their 4 x 4 pickups followed RDP members and parked close to where the RDP was supposed to conduct a meeting, whilst playing loud music in their cars,” the letter stated.Yesterday, RDP Acting President, Hidipo Hamutenya told journalists: “The situation in the central North is tense and gets more ugly by the day.”