Windhoek: Twenty – one political parties have submitted candidates for parliament and 15 of these have also put forward presidential candidates for the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections . The Electoral Commission of Namibia ( ECN ) announced this on Wednesday during a public sitting , when the commission confirmed the nominations of candidates and political parties . ECN Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua said the public sitting brought to a close the nomination of candidates and political parties that commenced on 26 September and was formally concluded on Wednesday . ‘ On the last day of nomination the chairperson of the commission is required , in terms of the law , to convene a public sitting to formally accept the nominations and declare candidates and political parties duly nominated . This includes formal acceptance of the nominations submitted on 14 October 2024 in the case of independent candidates as required by the law and outlined in our electoral calendar ,’ Nghikembua said . As a resul
t , 21 political parties submitted lists of parliamentary candidates for the parliamentary elections . The National Unity Democratic Organisation of Namibia , the Christian Democratic Voice Party , the National Democratic Party of Namibia , the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption , and the National Patriotic Front , chose not to field presidential candidates . The ruling Swapo Party , the official opposition , the Popular Democratic Movement , along with the Landless People ‘ s Movement and Independent Patriots for Change , have all fielded presidential candidates . Nghikembua said the official conclusion of the nomination process signals the commencement of intensified political campaigns in the build – up to polling day . She urged political parties and candidates to take action to prevent violence during the election campaigns . ‘ The commission therefore implores each individual candidate and political party contesting in these elections to adhere to the code of conduct as a tool that provides a regu
lative framework towards the conduct of candidates and supporters of their political parties before , during , and post – elections ,’ she said .

Source: The Namibia News Agency