Kuvee Kangueehi
21 February 2008
Windhoek — New kid on the block in Namibian politics, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) will gauge its popularity for the first time when it contests the local authority elections scheduled for Omuthiya next week.
The RDP together with the ruling Swapo Party, Congress of Democrats (CoD) and DTA of Namibia, will contest the seven local authority seats, which came into existence after Omuthyia was declared a town.
Fierce campaigns involving Swapo Party and the RDP have been witnessed at the northern town since the beginning of the year and more rallies are expected this weekend as parties make their final pleas to the voters before the elections on February 29.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has registered 1598 voters and the election will be held according to proportional representation.
All four parties have submitted seven candidates each to ECN and all the votes will be put together. Seats will be allocated to the candidates depending on the number of votes each party gets.
For the remaining seat, the surplus method will be used and the party with the most surplus will take the remaining seat.
The elections take place on February 29, from 07h00 and end at 21h00 the same day. Counting is expected to take place shortly after polling stations close and the results will be announced after the counting.
The ECN is currently training polling officials. The printing of the ballot papers will take place on February 25 and 26. There will be five fixed polling stations and two mobile teams.
Fixed polling stations will be at Omuthiya Church, Onakasino J P School, Onashikuvu Primary School, Iipumbu Junior Secondary School and Omuthiya Engen Service Station.
One mobile team will be at Onamulenga Lodge, Okashana Research Centre, Ekulo Senior Secondary School and Uupeleki.
The second mobile team will be at Onyeka Church, AFM Church Omuthiya and Ondiika.
Meanwhile, the Swapo Party will hold a star rally at Omuthiya on Saturday as part of its final campaign.
The party president and Head of State, Hifikepunye Pohamba, will address the rally.
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