THE Council of Churches (CCN) yesterday made an earnest appeal to all political parties to hold peaceful and non-violent election campaigns and to allow citizens to vote for the party of their choice in November.

"We appeal to all political parties to conduct all political campaigns free from violence, intimidation, provocation and harassment," said CCN President Erich Hertel, who is the bishop of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church (GELC) in Namibia.

The GELC came under attack from former President Sam Nujoma at Onheleiwa village northeast of Ongwediva on Sunday.

According to yesterday's Allgemeine Zeitung, Nujoma allegedly angrily singled out the GELC, accusing it of "having collaborated with the enemy prior to Namibian Independence and possibly still remaining an enemy".

"We are only tolerating them. But if they don't behave, we will attack them. Even if they go and call their fellow whites from Germany and so on, we will shoot them in the head," Nujoma was quoted as allegedly saying.

Bishop Hertel yesterday urged political parties to conduct elections in a free and fair manner "with absolute respect and without resorting to unfair practices".

Although invited, journalists were not allowed into the meeting.

Approached for comment, McHenry Venaani of the DTA told The Namibian that the move by the CCN to bring all parties to the same table was commendable.

"We had free and fair discussions although we are political opponents. We from the DTA made it clear that election campaigns should be about issues and not about character assassination," Venaani said.

Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, who is also Swapo's Secretary General, also attended.

"There was some tension and animosity to be felt with Swapo when Jesaya Nyamu, Secretary General of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), was speaking during the meeting," a source close to the RDP told The Namibian yesterday afternoon.