United Namibians Party applies for official registration

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced that the United Namibians Party (UNP) has submitted an application for official registration as a political party under the Electoral Act of 2014. According to a notice in the Government Gazette, the ECN has opened a 30-day window for any objections to be submitted to their office in Windhoek.

The Senior Legal Officer at the ECN, Alpheaus General Haufiku, explained that the registration of political parties is an ongoing process. He said that under the Electoral Act, a political party must fulfill specific requirements, including the promotion and participation in elections, nominating candidates, and canvassing votes. Additionally, political parties must adhere to non-discriminatory practices and comply with Namibian laws.

Furthermore, the registration process involves submitting documents, such as a constitution outlining the party’s structure and leadership, proof of payment of registration fees, and a list of at least 3,500 supporters from a minimum of seven regions across the country. These supporters must be registered voters, and their details are thoroughly verified by the ECN.

Once all requirements are met, the application is presented to the ECN commissioners for consideration, after which it is published in the Government Gazette. The public can then review the list of supporters and raise objections if necessary. If objections are received within 30 days, the ECN will investigate before finalising the registration.

Haufiku also noted that while there is no specific cut-off date for submitting applications, prospective political parties should be mindful of the time required for verification and potential objections, especially if they wish to participate in upcoming elections.