Africa-Press – Namibia. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)’s regional elections candidate Uzeraije Kapika Tjazerua is well on course for a historic victory in the Okakarara constituency of the Otjozondjupa region. This is based on preliminary results shared yesterday from 51% of polling centres within the Okakarara constituency, which places Tjazerua firmly in a decisive lead.
All projections from the remaining polling stations, albeit pending final declaration of results by the ECN, pointed to a landslide victory for Tjazerua, which could see PDM take charge of Okakarara constituency for the next six years.
Tjazerua, a seasoned broadcaster and renowned radio presenter with NBC’s Omurari FM, took an early dominant lead based on preliminary results released yesterday.
He was ahead of National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) candidate Abrosius Mundjindjiri, who had 24% of the votes counted yesterday, while Swapo’s Kaviao Vincent Karokohe was trailing in third place with over 20% of the votes from the preliminary results.
Results from about 49% of polling stations from across the constituency were still not formally declared, but Tjazerua looked well set to become PDM’s first Okakarara constituency councillor in almost over two decades.
During a recent rally held at Okakarara, PDM president McHenry Venaani said Tjazerua is the right man for the job and under the PDM’s stewardship, he will deliver the desired change of the residents of Okakarara.
“Residents should not vote blindly for political parties but rather evaluate whether individual candidates have the political maturity, leadership skills and commitment required to serve the community effectively. Our candidate Uzeraije Kapika Tjazerua possesses the necessary leadership qualities for the Okakarara constituency. We brought a candidate who is true to his character, is a political unifier, a nationalist and a competent person who can bring about change,” Venaani recently told the supporters as he presented Tjazerua to the gatherers.
Traditionally, Okakarara constituency has for decades been a NUDO stronghold, with the party’s unmatched dominance in the constituency first witnessed during the 2004 regional elections, which saw Vetaruhe Kandorozu winning 3,647 of the 6,472 votes cast to became councillor.
NUDO’s dominance continued into the 2015 regional elections, which resulted in Kandorozu’s re-election with 3,628 votes, followed by Swapo’s Jonathan Tjakuva with 2,126 votes and Abdal Mutjavikua of PDM (then DTA) in third place with 1,702 votes.
The 2020 regional elections again saw NUDO maintain its dominance over the constituency when Mutjavikua, who had then switched from DTA to NUDO, won 2,813 of the votes to become constituency councillor, well ahead of seasoned politician Gebhard Kandanga of Swapo, who received 1,544 votes.
Uamunika Murangi stood for the PDM during the 2020 elections and managed to get 1,455 votes, with then independent candidate Ambrosius Mundjindjiri getting 1,385 votes.
With Tjazerua’s projected victory, PDM is set to dethrone NUDO from the pedestal, as Okakarara residents have for years been yearning for development, social progress and employment opportunities for the youth – things Tjazerua has promised to deliver.
NUDO effect
It was, however, not all bad and gloomy for NUDO in the Otjinene constituency, as its candidate for the regional council elections Eben-Ezer Kauapirura was leading the polls with over 54.9% of votes from the preliminary results announced earlier yesterday.
Swapo’s Raphael Karuaihe was following in second place garnering 26.86% of the votes counted, while independent candidate Issakar Pejarukani Hiakaere was in third place with 10.20% of the votes counted during the preliminary round.
Judging from yesterday’s preliminary results, NUDO remains well on track to retain the Otjinene constituency, which is one of its strongholds along with Aminuis, whose results were yet to be declared.
Looking at past electoral performances, Nudo’s Esegiël Nguvitjita Toromba won the 2004 regional elections with 1,508 of the 2,872 votes cast and again managed to sustain the momentum in the 2015 regional elections, which were won by party candidate Erwin Katjizeu.
The 2015 regional elections saw Swapo’s Nono Katjingisiua finish second with 965 votes, while PDM’s Albert Kandjii came in third place with 261 votes.
Katjizeu was re-elected in the 2020 regional elections, winning with 1,650 votes, with Swapo’s Edmund Meroro coming in second place with 390 votes, followed by Dave Ndjavera of the PDM with 381 votes.
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