The National Assembly (NA) will convene a special session to decide on the nominations of Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) commissioners and director-general and deputy director-general of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia (ACC).
A statement issued on Monday by NA Public Relations Officer, David Nahogandja said the special session called by President Hage Geingob as provided for by article 62 sub-article (1) (c) of the Namibian Constitution for Members of Parliament, will take place on Tuesday at 15h00.
Nahogandja clarified to Nampa on Monday that the nominations by Geingob comes after the National Assembly held public interviews of 15 shortlisted candidates on 10 May 2021. The interview panel submitted a report with recommendations to Geingob for consideration.
“As per ECN Act, the president after studying the report then makes nominations to the National Assembly for approval, which is what is set to take place tomorrow,” he said.
The positions that are supposed to be filled at the ENC are those of commissioners Notemba Tjipueja (chairperson), Ulrich Freyer and Elsie Nghikembua, which expires on 15 September 2021.
At ACC, the positions to be filled are those of the current Acting Director-General Paulus Noa and Acting Deputy Director-General, Advocate Erna van der Merwe whose contracts will expire end of July 2021.
The two were appointed in acting capacities by Geingob in December 2020 after their contracts came to an end that year. They have been at the helm of the institution since its inception in 2003.
ACC spokesperson Josephine Nghituwamata when asked by this agency on Monday on the appointment process, referred to the ACC Act which states that the National Assembly appoints the director-general and deputy director-general upon nomination by the country’s president.
“The director-general and deputy director-general are appointed on a full-time basis for five years and may be reappointed upon expiry of their term of office. The conditions of service of the director-general and deputy director-general are determined by the president with the confirmation of the National Assembly,” reads the ACC Act.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
