Staff Reporter
THE former official opposition party, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), which emerged badly bruised from last year’s Presidential and National Assembly elections and which was recently rocked by high-profile resignations, has announced its regional council election candidates for only 45 of the country’s 121 constituencies.
The party’s Secretary General, Immanuel Ngaringombe, mentioned the possibility of more candidates being added at a later stage.
For the populous four northern regions with a combined total of 46 constituencies, the PDM has announced candidates for only three constituencies — Ruacana in Omusati, Oniipa in Oshikoto, and Oshakati East in Oshana.
Ohangwena is missing from the list.
Also missing is Zambezi, the region where the former DTA held sway before and immediately after independence.
McHenry Venaani’s party has announced candidates for five of the six constituencies of Kavango East and five of the eight constituencies of Kavango West.
In the Erongo Region, which has seven constituencies, PDM candidates will contest only in two: Walvis Bay Rural and Omaruru.
The PDM has also announced eight candidates for the Khomas Region, which has ten constituencies; three candidates for Omaheke, which has seven constituencies; six for Hardap, which has eight constituencies; and four for Otjozondjupa, which has seven constituencies.
For the Karas and Kunene regions, which have seven constituencies each, the PDM has nominated only six and three candidates respectively.
During the 2020 regional council and local authority elections, PDM candidates won in two constituencies — Epupa and Opuwo Rural — both in the Kunene Region.
It currently occupies 41 of the country’s 378 local authority seats.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: ECN
