ECN nominee Sindano faces opposition scrutiny over past Swapo ties

OPPOSITION parties say Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) commissioner Gerson Sindano should not become the commission’s next chairperson, arguing that his past ties to Swapo undermine his perceived impartiality.

Sindano’s current term ends on 21 June 2027 but he has been nominated by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to replace current chairperson Elsie Nghikembua, whose term expires on 16 September.

The other nominated commissioners are Emmerentia Leonard and Julieta Ferreira.

Opposition parties say Sindano’s previous role as personal assistant to former Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba in 2013 raises concerns about the commission’s independence ahead of the 2030 elections.

National Democratic Party president Martin Lukato says he cannot support a candidate with active ties to the ruling party.

“Academically and professionally, his credentials are not in question. But for as long as he remains a Swapo member, I cannot approve a candidate whose impartiality could be clouded by party loyalty,” Lukato says.

He says the opposition’s demand for the release of the interview minutes and score sheets is aimed at determining whether the selection process was impartial.

Lukato adds that he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.

“I think all top public institutions should be led by people who are not affiliated with political parties to safeguard institutional integrity,” he says.

Landless People’s Movement spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says the party’s concern centres on the transparency of the nomination process.

“Because of his affiliation, demanding the minutes and score sheets is important. We cannot approve someone with such a political history to lead an institution whose credibility has already been questioned after previous elections,” Simataa says.

All People’s Party president Ambrosius Kumbwa says the party’s objection is not directed at Sindano personally but at the process followed.

“Our objection is not a personal attack against Sindano, nor a questioning of his academic credentials or character,” Kumbwa says.

He criticises what he described as an attempt to push through a short-term appointment while withholding key documents such as interview score sheets and selection committee minutes.

“The laws of this country cannot be bent for political convenience,” he says, adding that the process risks undermining public confidence in the ECN.

Parliament is currently in recess until 1 September after the debate on Sindano’s nomination could not proceed because there was no voting quorum.

Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda approached the High Court seeking the release of the interview minutes and score sheets used by the selection committee.

Defending the process, parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs chairperson Pohamba Shifeta says all legal procedures were followed and dismissed claims that the nomination process was irregular.

Former Rundu Senior Secondary School pupil Patrick Kashera, who was taught by Sindano in 2006, has come to his defence. He says “Sindano possesses the character, integrity and merit that the Namibian nation can trust”.

Kashera urges members of parliament to assess Sindano’s nomination objectively rather than through partisan considerations, saying anyone with evidence that disqualifies him should present it instead of relying on unsubstantiated claims.

He also cautions against excluding qualified citizens on the basis of political perceptions, saying capable Namibians should not be sidelined to satisfy narrow political interests.

Sindano did not respond to questions sent to him at the time of going to print.

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