Namibia has a bicameral system of parliament consisting of the National
Assembly, which has legislative powers subject to the Constitution and a
National Council, which in terms of article 63 (1) and 74 (1) (a) of the
Namibian Constitution is a house of review. Namibia conducts regular
elections as a way of guaranteeing governmental activity and promotes
democracy. The last election took place in November 2014. The Electoral Act,
Act No 5 of 2014 makes provision for electoral challenges of election results
through the judicial systems.
In the case of Rally for Democracy and Progress and v Electoral Commission of
Namibia and others (SA 12/202011)[2012}NASSC 21 (25 October 2012), the
electoral process was subjected to court litigation and the outcome was that
the errors made by presiding officers did not affect the outcome of the
elections.
The court held that it was satisfied that no mistakes by the Electoral
Commission have been made to detract from the final results of the election.
The court further held that it was satisfied that the Electoral Commission of
Namibia (ECN) proved that the final results were not affected by these
mistakes.
15.1 Access to public property and services
Government has implemented a decentralization policy in order to make
public services available in all the regions, including the rural areas of the
country. The aim of the decentralization policy is to ensure economic, cultural
and social-economic development; to provide people at the grass-root level
with opportunity and to give them the rights to participate in decision making
at their level and extend democracy to them. The decentralization policy also
provides the basis and a framework for Government to devolve functions,
responsibilities, powers and resources to the lower levels of Government,
namely Regional Councils and Local authorities.
The country has relatively well-established social infrastructures such as
hospitals, schools, water points and postal services. Namibia’s road
infrastructures including gravel roads are well maintained by the Government
which makes the movement of the people easier.
In terms of the National Policy on Disability, 2007 all physical infrastructure
should be accessible to persons with disabilities, which currently poses a
- 34 -