ECN files application to reverse CDV deregistration decision
'Accountability' as a duty highlighted
ECN chief electoral officer Petrus Shaama has stressed the urgency of the matter in light of the looming elections.
In a review application filed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the Windhoek High Court yesterday, the commission is asking the court to reverse its decision to deregister the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) Party.
"No public body can disregard the duty of accountability wherever it is imposed without breaching a fundamental constitutional mandate,” ECN chief electoral officer Petrus Shaama stated in the application.
In court papers, Shaama emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that with elections approaching and candidate nominations closing soon, the ECN requires a swift ruling to prevent delays or disruptions to the electoral process.
"ECN’s request to the court to reverse its earlier decision as a necessary legal correction to avoid further complications."
The court papers also underline that the "application is unopposed and should be heard on such unopposed basis."
Legal practitioner Kadhila Amoomo wrote on social media that for the first time in Namibia's history, the ECN has decided to take itself to court. "The ECN has filed a self-review to re-register, following multiple warnings that its actions were unlawful."
In June this year, the ECN deregistered the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) and CDV for failing to submit required paperwork.
Legal debacle
Yesterday's application follows NEFF's successful challenge against the ECN’s decision to deregister the party, with the court ruling in September that the party was not given a fair chance to defend itself before being deregistered. The court also found that the ECN acted unreasonably and irrationally when it decided to cancel NEFF’s registration as a political party. The ECN is represented by lawyer Cynthia Endjambi, and the case has been assigned to High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele.
"No public body can disregard the duty of accountability wherever it is imposed without breaching a fundamental constitutional mandate,” ECN chief electoral officer Petrus Shaama stated in the application.
In court papers, Shaama emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that with elections approaching and candidate nominations closing soon, the ECN requires a swift ruling to prevent delays or disruptions to the electoral process.
"ECN’s request to the court to reverse its earlier decision as a necessary legal correction to avoid further complications."
The court papers also underline that the "application is unopposed and should be heard on such unopposed basis."
Legal practitioner Kadhila Amoomo wrote on social media that for the first time in Namibia's history, the ECN has decided to take itself to court. "The ECN has filed a self-review to re-register, following multiple warnings that its actions were unlawful."
In June this year, the ECN deregistered the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) and CDV for failing to submit required paperwork.
Legal debacle
Yesterday's application follows NEFF's successful challenge against the ECN’s decision to deregister the party, with the court ruling in September that the party was not given a fair chance to defend itself before being deregistered. The court also found that the ECN acted unreasonably and irrationally when it decided to cancel NEFF’s registration as a political party. The ECN is represented by lawyer Cynthia Endjambi, and the case has been assigned to High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele.
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