Political parties fear harassment amid campaigns, call on ECN to intervene

Opposition political parties say they fear an increase in harassment from those who do not support them in the wake of their campaigns ahead of the November elections.

This is following a recent video circulating on social media seen by The Namibian last week of a user hurling insults at a candidate of a political party.

In the video, an unknown person is heard using vulgar language – “look at this ugly person. I am here waiting for you. Come so I deal with you” – towards United Democratic Front Grootfontein constituency candidate Morits Gaingob, who is vying for by-elections slated for 17 June. Some parties have called on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to take action. Gaingob has criticised the ECN for not taking his complaint seriously after he lodged a complaint.

He says the harassment targeting him is a clear violation of his rights and also seeks to defy his reputation and intimidate him.

“I have reported the matter to the police because I no longer feel safe. How can I go and campaign with someone like that out there seeking to harm me?” he says.

Gaingob raises concerns as to how many others are going through a similar situation and are not speaking out.

Rally for Democracy Party former member of parliament Kennedy Shekupakela says such harassment will intensify in the coming months when election campaigns take centre stage. Shekupakela was responding to questions sent to him over the weekend.

“In politics, this is not even allowed in a democratic society. People doing this are supposed to be dealt with according to the rules of law. Doing this damage to a person is wrong and we lose some good leadership because of this,” he says.

He adds that there is a need to interrogate why this happened in a small town like Grootfontein.

Shekupakela says they will have to pray for a fair election to bring changes to society.

He cautions parties to do away with dirty tricks to sabotage each other’s campaigns and to compete in an orderly manner.

United People’s Movement (UPM) president Jan van Wyk says harassment has been going on for a long time.

“It was also reported by UPM leaders in some areas last year, specifically by opposition parties against each other and I believe it will continue during this year’s elections again,” he adds.

Van Wyk says the police in some areas are not responding accordingly to complaints, hence those doing it feel untouchable.

Otjozondjupa regional electoral representative Victoria Amutenya says matters of harassment or threats targeted to an individual do not fall under the ECN but that of the police.

“This is a clear violation of an individual’s rights and such individuals should approach the police to lodge a case against perpetrators of threats and harassment in order to be held accountable,” she says.

She says last weekend they held a code of conduct training at Grootfontein and all parties were made aware of how to conduct themselves during the election campaigns.

She urges parties to use the code of conduct as a guiding tool.

Otjozondjupa regional police commander commissioner Philip Hidengwa says any threat or harassment directed to an individual is a violation of rights and such individuals should approach the police to report a case.

“Whether election campaigns or not, the law applies to all,” he says.

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