Swapo to close ‘back door’, says Ekandjo

SWAPO will consider closing the ‘back door’ through which opposition leaders get into the National Assembly, the party’s spokesperson Jerry Ekandjo said last week.

Ekandjo was not pleased that opposition leaders can stand for both the presidential elections as well as occupy the first spot on their party lists while Swapo does not do the same.Since 1994 Swapo’s presidential candidate has only stood for one position while the opposition try to ensure that their leaders get to Parliament by also topping the list.’President (Hifikepunye Pohamba) won’t be on the list (for MPs). If you lose there, it is bye bye. We have to amend (the Electoral Act) to close the back door for presidential candidates to parliament,’ he said.Opposition leaders Katuutire Kaura (DTA), Justus //Garoëb (UDF), Kosie Pretorius (Monitor Action Group), Ben Ulenga (Congress of Democrats), Henk Mudge (Republican Party) and Kuaima Riruako (National Unity Democratic Organisation) have challenged Swapo candidates Pohamba and former president Sam Nujoma over the past 20 years but have also stood for NA elections.