Independent councillors elect not to endorse anyone
Voters must make up their own minds, councillors say
The independents are committed to encouraging their constituency residents to vote for the parties and candidates of their own choosing.
Despite confirming they will cast their votes in this month’s presidential and National Assembly elections, three independent constituency councillors have refused to publicly endorse political parties or presidential candidates.
Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu, Linyanti's Ivenne Kabunga and Judea Lyaboloma’s Humphrey Divai have each told Namibian Sun that they will not endorse anyone.
The trio said they encourage residents in their constituencies to vote for parties and candidates of their own choosing.
With the local and regional council elections scheduled for late next year, the independent candidates are concerned that endorsing a political party or candidate in the national elections could risk losing supporters ahead of the 2025 elections.
No comment
Many of the independent candidates who took part in the 2020 regional council elections are former Swapo members who were disgruntled at the time. Mbangu, a former Swapo Party Youth League leader who had a fallout with Swapo and chose to run as an independent, said he has not attended any rallies. His status in Swapo remains unclear.
“I remain independent. For me, I took a decision not to comment on what is happening. I am just observing,” Mbangu said.
“Let people campaign there. I have no comment. I will only campaign next year.”
Vote for change
Kabunga said although he has a preferred candidate and political party in mind, he will not publicly endorse them.
Divai, on the other hand, said while he will not publicly endorse a political party or candidate, he encourages people to vote for change.
“Currently, we do not belong to any political party,” he said.
“So my position is that I am a leader for everyone. If I belonged to a political party, I would endorse someone, but I cannot endorse anyone."
He added: “I just want to encourage people to [vote for] change and what they feel will improve their livelihood. That's what we are encouraging the people to do.
“It is their right to vote and it is their right to make their own decision. We are not influencing anyone to vote for a certain party or individual.”
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#NamibiaDecides2024
Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu, Linyanti's Ivenne Kabunga and Judea Lyaboloma’s Humphrey Divai have each told Namibian Sun that they will not endorse anyone.
The trio said they encourage residents in their constituencies to vote for parties and candidates of their own choosing.
With the local and regional council elections scheduled for late next year, the independent candidates are concerned that endorsing a political party or candidate in the national elections could risk losing supporters ahead of the 2025 elections.
No comment
Many of the independent candidates who took part in the 2020 regional council elections are former Swapo members who were disgruntled at the time. Mbangu, a former Swapo Party Youth League leader who had a fallout with Swapo and chose to run as an independent, said he has not attended any rallies. His status in Swapo remains unclear.
“I remain independent. For me, I took a decision not to comment on what is happening. I am just observing,” Mbangu said.
“Let people campaign there. I have no comment. I will only campaign next year.”
Vote for change
Kabunga said although he has a preferred candidate and political party in mind, he will not publicly endorse them.
Divai, on the other hand, said while he will not publicly endorse a political party or candidate, he encourages people to vote for change.
“Currently, we do not belong to any political party,” he said.
“So my position is that I am a leader for everyone. If I belonged to a political party, I would endorse someone, but I cannot endorse anyone."
He added: “I just want to encourage people to [vote for] change and what they feel will improve their livelihood. That's what we are encouraging the people to do.
“It is their right to vote and it is their right to make their own decision. We are not influencing anyone to vote for a certain party or individual.”
- [email protected]
#NamibiaDecides2024
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