Delegate list dispute rocks NYC elections
Tensions erupted at the National Youth Council’s general assembly on Saturday amid allegations that several delegates were omitted from the voters’ list ahead of the council’s elections at Swakopmund. The race for the NYC executive chairperson position has intensified, with former Namibia National Students’ Organisation presidents Esther Simon and Simon Taapopi battling for the top […] The post Delegate list dispute rocks NYC elections appeared first on The Namibian.
Black News 
Tensions erupted at the National Youth Council’s general assembly on Saturday amid allegations that several delegates were omitted from the voters’ list ahead of the council’s elections at Swakopmund.
The race for the NYC executive chairperson position has intensified, with former Namibia National Students’ Organisation presidents Esther Simon and Simon Taapopi battling for the top post.
About 14 candidates are also contesting seats on the board, including Landless People’s Movement youth leader Duminga Ndala.
The gathering brings together youth representatives from across the country to elect new leadership to the statutory body.
Student Union of Namibia board chairperson Bernhard Kavau on Saturday called for the general assembly to be nullified, citing concerns over delegate irregularities and alleged dual candidacy.
Kavau, who publicly endorsed Simon last week, said his delegation walked out of Saturday’s opening proceedings after discovering that some delegates’ names were missing from the official list.
“All our delegates attended Friday’s opening session, but we opted to walk out today after noticing some names had been omitted. We do not know who made that decision,” he said.
He further claimed delegates from the Oshana and Zambezi regions had been reassigned, appearing under Taapopi’s delegation despite previously being listed under Simon’s camp.
Kavau asked why the NYC board allowed dual candidacy and accused the current leadership of mishandling the electoral process.
“If it were up to me, I would stop everything and restart the process because a complete mess has been created,” he said.
Despite the dispute, delegates have since returned to the assembly hall and deliberations are continuing.Voting is expected to take place on Sunday, with the new NYC leadership set to be announced by Monday.
Some sources believe Taapopi is the front runner.
The post Delegate list dispute rocks NYC elections appeared first on The Namibian.
