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In an unprecedented move, Namibian opposition parties contesting the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency by-election, joined forces to boycott the elections, citing irregularities in the entire electoral process from the start. These irregularities included informing the electorate of the supplementary registration process after this had closed; not informing opposition parties where objections could be made; not providing a voters’ list on time. When opposition parties pointed out these flaws and requested a postponement of the process and a fresh start, they were met with an arrogant refusal by ECN Director, Moses Ndjarakana. Three of the four opposition parties participating in the by-election, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP); Nudo of Namibia and Republican Party (RP), subsequently took the historic decision not to participate in the election. Rather than be accomplices to the undermining of democracy in Namibia, the three parties withdrew and called on their members not to vote. The low voter turn-out and the results of the election, are a clear vindication of the opposition political parties, as the press statement signed by the opposition parties states:

The by-elections in Tobias Hainyeko constituency on Friday, the 31st October 2008, turned out to be a sham as we had rightly foretold. They were many reasons, why we foresaw that the election would be a sham. First of all, all the preparations were thoughtless. The Electoral Commission of Namibia was nonchalant in handling the process. It was told, among other things, that the residents of Tobias Hainyeko were given neither sufficient information nor enough time for registration. But conniving with SWAPO as usual, the commission ignored the protest of the opposition parties in this respect. The opposition parties advised that in the interest of democracy and good governance, the ECN should have seriously and positively considered the issues presented to them by the opposition parties.

The RDP condemns in the strongest language possible, the unruly behavior of the ruling SWAPO Party members and supporters at One Nation Shitemba on Saturday, 18 October, 2008. SWAPO Party members and thugs mounted a well-planned and concerted effort to violently disrupt a peaceful RDP meeting. The barbaric behaviour of SWAPO members and supporters proves, yet again, that they have no interest in democracy, peace and stability. SWAPO members and supporters also showed that they have clearly no respect for the Namibian Police. These unguided elements openly defied and hurled insults at the police, who were only trying to maintain law and order.