Staff Reporter
MINISTER Sanet Steenkamp suspended proceedings at the National Youth Council (NYC) General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday night after tensions over delegate accreditation and the timing of elections escalated into disorder, forcing the postponement of the leadership vote.
The assembly, which is expected to elect a new executive chairperson and board for the next four years, was disrupted after delegates became divided over whether elections should proceed on Saturday as planned or be postponed to Sunday.
According to reports from the venue, the situation deteriorated after the NYC interim board announced that elections would continue following consultations with delegates and ministry officials. A majority of delegates reportedly supported proceeding with the vote.
However, another group objected, citing alleged irregularities in the accreditation and selection of delegates eligible to vote. The dispute sparked unrest inside the Swakopmund Multipurpose Centre, with claims that officials from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) were removed from their designated seating area and proceedings brought to a halt.
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There were also unverified reports of teargas being discharged inside the venue, delegates fainting and one person being detained. These claims had not been independently confirmed by Sunday.
Ministry spokesperson Simon Shino confirmed that tensions arose among delegates but said he could not verify reports of physical altercations or the use of teargas.
He added that police were present to restore order and that proceedings were suspended late on Saturday night.
Steenkamp subsequently instructed that the assembly reconvene on Sunday while consultations continued on the way forward.
The leadership race is understood to be primarily between former Namibia National Students Organisation presidents Ester Simon and Simon Taapopi, while several other candidates are contesting seats on the board.
The disruption comes a day after Vice President Lucia Witbooi officially opened the assembly and urged delegates to respect democratic processes and accept the outcome of the elections.
Delegates remained in Swakopmund on Sunday awaiting a decision on whether voting would proceed, be postponed, or whether the General Assembly would be declared invalid.
Photo: NBC Digital News
