Erongo governor callsfor peaceful elections

Erongo governor Neville Andre on Friday urged his region to ensure peaceful, calm and incident-free elections on 27 November.

Andre met with regional political party heads, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), religious leaders and law-enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful campaign environment.

He called on all parties to act responsibly.

“Our democracy is strong when all voices are heard respectfully,” he said, further urging religious leaders to promote messages of hope and “togetherness”.

Erongo police chief inspector Ileni Shapumba expressed the police’s readiness to ensure a secure electoral process, noting that while minor provocations had occurred, they had been resolved professionally. “We will deploy sufficient manpower before, on, and after election day to ensure law and order,” he said. Swapo’s Erongo region coordinator, Daniel Muhuura, highlighted the importance of enforcing the law and creating a conducive environment for all political activities.

“We differ politically, but at the end of the day we are all Namibians,” he said, praising the peaceful conduct of campaigns so far. The Landless People’s Movement’s Ryan Gordon said while the leadership remains civil, tensions on the ground could escalate, often fuelled by alcohol and drugs.

He called on leaders and the community to promote peaceful engagement, particularly urging vigilance towards children during rallies.

The Independent Patriots for Change’s Erongo regional chairperson, Aloisius Kangulu, stressed the need for political maturity and responsibility.

He pointed out past challenges, including disputes over the placement of campaign posters, but expressed the hope that continued collaboration would prevent further incidents. Aune Ndakeva, representing the ECN, reminded attendees of the importance of adhering to the commission’s code of conduct. “This code guides the behaviour expected during campaigns and ensures we engage with each other respectfully,” she said.