Namibia: Local Authority Elections in 1998

Extracted from: "Namibia" IN Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa (2002), edited by Tom Lodge, Denis Kadima and David Pottie, EISA, 264-265.

During visits to all regions in Namibia in 1997 it became evident that a growing voter apathy had set in. Lack of contact between the electorate and elected representatives, insufficient information on the role of elections in a working democracy and dissatisfaction with the performance of the Government, were often cited as reasons for the lacklustre attitude of voters. The Directorate consequently approached the Government to include voter education as one of the Directorate's continued activities in its annual budget.

The relevance of local elections in a working democracy was emphasised in a public message by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. Voters were reminded that participation in local elections could make a difference in the running of local authorities. "Things are bound to remain the same or even worsen unless you unite with other residents in your area to vote in this forthcoming local elections. By voting you ensure a future for democracy in your local authority, and the dividends will come to you, although with time, include better services and facilities for you and for future generations in your local authority area", the chairperson stated.

Despite the continued voters registration process in all local authority areas, it was decided to set aside another period for supplementary registration of voters from mid September till 6 October 1997. This was followed up with another supplementary registration period in December 1997. Altogether 188 302 names appeared on the final voters register.

The second generation local authority elections should have taken place on 2 December 1997. Due to a technical defect on nomination day, when the ruling party SWAPO failed to register its candidates in the Rundu constituency timeously, SWAPO took the matter to the High Court claiming that the nomination period should have been one day longer. To avoid a lengthy and costly court case, the Government decided to postpone the election to 16 February 1998, affording the political parties and associations a new opportunity to nominate their candidates on 15 January 1998.

The Government had decided that the election would once again been conducted according the proportional electoral method.

A number of residents associations were formed to participate in the elections. Many residents had become dissatisfied with the party representatives performance in local authority councils. Such associations were newly formed in local authority areas in addition to the two already existing ones in Windhoek and Swakopmund. All duly registered with the Electoral Commission. They performed well during the elections.

The two major parties, the ruling SAPO and the main opposition party, the DTA, nominated candidates in all 45 local authority areas. In addition to the eight civil organisations and associations, the UDF contested 23 local authorities, the DCN and SWANU three and the WRP one. A total of 858 candidates were nominated of which 404 (47.1%) were women and 454 (52.9%) men.

The elections produced a disappointing low voter turnout. Only 63 543 voters (33.7%) cast their vote. 657 votes were rejected. SWAPO obtained 60.35% of the votes, DTA 23.91%, UDF 6.66%, DCN 0.53%, SWANU 0.23%, SRP 0.10% and Resident Associations 8.22%.

Out of 329 elected local councillors, SWAPO is represented by 188 councillors, DTA by 98, UDF by 25, and the eight Residents Associations together by 16 councillors. All the other contesting parties could not obtain a single seat. Of the 329 elected councillors 193 (58.7%) were male and 136 (41.3%) female, surpassing the numbers prescribed by the Local Authority Act.

No irregularities were reported during the local authority elections. The outcome as announced on 18 February, two days after the elections, was accepted by all the participating parties and associations.

Due to lack of interest or alternatively confidence in the Namibian electoral process, no external or domestic observers attended the elections.

The costs of the local authority elections, including voter education, continued and supplementary registration, amounted to N$4 200 000, alternatively N$66.00 per vote cast or N$22.30 per registered voter.