Windhoek — The Swapo Party will hold an Extraordinary Congress next year (2013) to adopt and approve proposed amendments to its constitution.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba made the announcement yesterday at the opening of the first Central Committee meeting following the recently ended 5th party congress.

"The Politburo proposed that an extraordinary congress of the Swapo Party be held next year in order to discuss, adopt and approve the proposed amendments to the Swapo Party constitution," Pohamba told Central Committee members.

He further said that the proposal was also approved by the Central Committee at a meeting held during November 23-24 this year.

The Extraordinary Congress is necessitated by the late presentation of the proposed amendments to the party constitution by the Central Committee.

Pohamba, in his short statement focused less on the issue of the day, which was primarily the election of Politburo members, but more on the 2014 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He reminded Central Committee members not to get carried away by the internal elections that have been going on within the party, saying: "We should not forget that even more important elections are still ahead of us."

He urged Central Committee members to prepare for what he termed a "landslide victory" in the 2014 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

"This requires of all of us to do everything we can to ensure that Swapo Party remains on a strong footing," he implored the Central Committee.

Regardless of Pohamba's desire for an overwhelming victory in the 2014 elections, he also wants all members of the party to participate in mobilisation campaigns in a consistent manner, based on democracy, peace and the spirit national reconciliation.

He concluded by urging members never to become complacent, even when the party is assured of victory, but to always apply their minds and make positive contributions at party meetings.