ECN says the IPC’s !Auchamus did not inspect election materials

By: Envaalde Matheus 

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said Independent Patriots for Change national general secretary Christine !Auchamus lied about participating in the inspection of the election materials on 18 and 19 December 2024.

According to ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua, !Auchamus compiled the court challenge report without personal knowledge of the allegations she made, nor was she present during the inspection. “It is simply not true that Ms !Auchamus was present on any of the dates of the inspection. On 16 December 2024, in compliance with the court order, the names of representatives were submitted to inspect the electoral material. I attach a copy of this letter marked ECN23,” said Nghikembua.

“I further attach a signed attendance register in which her name is crossed out and replaced with Josephina Gabriel’s,” she said.

The IPC, in a founding affidavit, produced a report compiled by !Auchamus, the deponent of the founding affidavit in this application. !Auchamus indicated in the founding affidavit that she “personally participated in the 18 – 19 December 2024 inspection of the electoral material at the ECN and compiled the report of my observations.”

The ECN said despite “exaggerated” claims of irregularities, the incredible number of witnesses who have been turned away, results not adding up, and” hundreds and hundreds of affidavits and statements under oath” and the like, nothing of the sort is produced in the applicant’s founding affidavit.

“There is no affidavit of any person who has been turned away, no indication of the results
not tallying, no evidence of suppression of voters, and not a single allegation from any witness who alleges that they were suppressed or of ballot boxes that were being transported without a police escort. None whatsoever,” said Nghikembua.