NANGOF on violence and media issues

NANGOF Trust, as umbrella body for civil society organizations in Namibia, welcomes yet another opportunity for Namibians to participate in national development through casting their votes in national elections which are to take place less than three weeks from now.

Indeed, development is underpinned by ability to make choices, and the forthcoming elections are a platform for choices, as people participate in the democratic process. The Constitution of the republic of Namibia, as the supreme law of the land, recognises the sanctity of people’s civil, social as well as political rights.

Every stakeholder in the coming elections should have equal protection and opportunity. Citizens have a right to choose candidates and parties of their choice to represent them. This calls for the need of a conducive environment, marked by responsible freedom of expression, peace and an even playing field, with every player respecting and upholding the rules of the game.

As representative of civil society, we call upon the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to manage the electoral process with the diligence that such an exercise demands. We also call on political parties and their members to refrain from threatening the prospect of having free and fair elections.

The police are also urged to take charge of the situation to prevent further damage to property and injury to people as it is highly undesirable that lives be lost during such an important process of democracy. The media in general and the NBC in particular have a role to play in ensuring free and fair elections.

NANGOF Trust herewith would like to express concern over the following incidences as reported or observed: Political violence in some areas and “territories” and the related prohibition of some political parties to move freely as provided for by the Namibian Constitution. Political parties, especially leaders, should desist from any language that insinuates or condones violence.

Let Namibians feel secure in associating with political parties of their choices, and go to the polls without any form of threat or intimidation. Broadcasting coverage as provided by the NBC during main news time as a national public broadcaster is alarming, as at least 80% of the broadcaster’s time is reportedly allocated to the ruling party.

Some parties’ electoral activities are either not covered or portrayed in a negative way. We therefore call upon the NBC to enable voters an objectively informed analysis of political programmes as conveyed by participating parties.

Thus the NBC needs to objectively and fairly cover all political parties during news programmes as well as to allocate free airtime equally and equitably, without favour, bias or fear.

The complaints by some political parties that they are not receiving equal coverage by the public broadcaster should not fall on deaf ears, but should be considered and addressed as a matter of urgency for the sake of credibility of our democratic processes.

We remind all Namibians that it is none but ourselves as individuals and groups, who need to respect our and other people’s rights under the constitution.

The coming national elections are an opportunity for us to demonstrate political maturity and that the upcoming political process is indeed a barometer for gauging the maturity level of our democracy.