WINDHOEK – The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, yesterday assured the country’s political parties that the police force is apolitical and will ensure protection for everyone during this year’s general elections.
Ndeitunga gave the guarantee during his meeting with representatives of various political parties in Windhoek.
The meeting was to help map the way for peaceful elections in November.
The ruling party Swapo was not represented at the meeting, but Ndeitunga told those in attendance that everyone is guaranteed police protection regardless of political affiliation.
“The Namibian police are apolitical,” Ndeitunga said.
He further assured the gathering that the police would carry out their mandate of ensuring that peace and stability endure during the run-up to the elections.
“Therefore I am calling upon all political leaders to ensure that their members and sympathisers are sensitised on the importance of safeguarding the peace and tranquillity that exist in our country, on the freedoms and limitations to exercise their rights, and to refrain from any sort of violence during the hosting of political rallies or any other political activities.”
He said this can be achieved by ensuring that intimidation is impermissible, that no weapons of any kind are allowed at any activity and to avoid party activities at the same venues.
Others ways to ensure a smooth run-up to the elections slated for November this year are to avoid noise that constitute public nuisance and to avoid violence and disrupting the activities of other parties, especially that party members do not obstruct others to attend to their activities, Ndeitunga stressed.
He added that no property of other political parties, especially flags, should be destroyed and that all party members should observe the code of conduct for elections.
According to the police chief, an essential part of free and fair elections is the freedom of political parties to campaign and the right of an individual to express his or her political convictions and ideas without threat or fear of intimidation. He noted that some instances in recent times could be construed as political intolerance. Ndeitunga said when it however culminates in political violence it portrays a bad image of Namibia which can be avoided if political parties adhere to the principles outlined in the code of conduct which most of the registered parties signed.
According to the police chief, campaigns should not be forced on people, especially with house-to-house campaigns or at social events as some people might see it as an intrusion on their private life. He called on all the participating political parties to embrace peace, promote tolerance, mutual respect and harmony in the country.
“It is for this reason that I found it imperative to arrange this meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern with honourable leaders, so that we can ensure a conducive environment for political campaigns.”
The meeting was attended by members of the DTA, RDP, United People’s Movement, DPN, UDF, Workers Revolutionary Party, APP, CoD, NUDO and staff members of the ECN.