IC Sikenda wants fixed polling stations in his strongholds  

By Staff Reporter

AN Independent Candidate (IC) for Sibbinda Constituency, Mr. Chrissy Tikanyo Sikenda, commonly known as “Caprivi”, a teacher by profession has raised his concern with ECN to establish a new polling station at Sabelo.

Mr. Sikenda who is one of the seven (7) candidates contesting for the councillorship post at Sibbinda Constituency on November 26, voiced his concern during the stakeholder engagement meeting conducted by the Regional Office of the Electoral Commission of Namibia in Zambezi on Monday , that ECN should consider gazzeting Sabelo as a new fixed polling station to give the right to vote to those who are unable to travel long distance, and to also make Kikiya and Chombo as fixed polling stations instead of mobile polling points.

He added that Chombo polling Station is in Linyanti and it is very difficult for the people to travel a long distance of more than 2 kilometers to cast their votes.

“The reason why we built KISAKO Primary School was to cut distance between Kikiya and Linyanti, so KISAKO was supposed to be a neutral point, but now you are having a polling station at KISAKO and Kikiya” he said  

According to him, KISAKO stands for Kikiya Sabelo Kolosi, these places are his strongholds.

“why is it that people from Sabelo they have to walk to KISAKO, and people from Kikiya cannot walk, and you bring the services closer to them” he quashed that all residents should have equal opportunities.

Answering to his concern, Mr. Ben Lumponjani, ECN ‘s Returning Officer for Sibbinda Constituency confirmed that thy have been doing that in the previous elections but did not encounter any problems.

“I believe that from Kikiya to KISAKO it should be plus minus 1 kilo, from KISAKO to Chombo is 2 km , and in one hour our team can move nicely without hiccups” he clarified.

Mr. Sikenda told Caprivi Vision that from Chombo to KISAKO is 4.5 kilometers, and from Chombo to Sabelo is 2.3 KM, adding that mostly elderly voters cannot walk at longer distance and he suggested that it was much better if the ECN would consider making a fixed polling station at Sabelo or either make KISAKO as a fixed polling station since it is a center of the neighbouring villages.

Sikenda, is a passionate advocate for grassroots development. A teacher by profession who worked in different regions of Namibia, such as Ohangwena, Zambezi, Hardap and Erongo regions.

“I have had the privilege of serving in various leadership roles within the education and labour sectors. I previously served as the National Coordinator for Youth, Sports, and Culture at the Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN), where I was responsible for developing and implementing programs that empowered young educators and promoted active participation in cultural and sporting initiatives.

In addition, I served as an International Mobiliser for the Association of Non-Aligned Teachers Unions of Southern Africa (ANTUSA), a role that involved coordinating regional advocacy efforts and fostering collaboration among education unions across Southern Africa countries.

As a unionist I dedicated my career in advocating for labour rights, fair wages, safe working conditions and dignity in the workplace.” Explained Mr. Sikenda.

According to his election manifesto, his seven priorities of interest once elected as a Councillor for Sibbinda Constituency are as follows:

1. Providing water for animals in areas prone to drought and water scarcity areas inorder to otherwise reduce livestock deaths and improve productivity.

• Strive for electrification of villages without electricity: To improve the overall quality of life.
• Empower people to create income not be recipients: Help producers connect with customers beyond their locality, and connect emerging entrepreneurs with experienced ones.
• Invest in community skills training, and entrepreneurship programs: Provide tools and equipment for community workshops, and help our people collaborate with the NGOs to co-fund workforce programs.
• Create self-help groups: Link the groups with banks or microfinance institutions, and help them on how to apply for government schemes.
• Create youth leadership initiatives and mentorship networks: Organize leadership camps and help our youth to partner with mentors, professionals, activists and educators to help them turn ideas into action.
• Schedule knowledge sharing sessions or informal forums: To connect people across the constituency.

He however pointed out that “My prime priorities in general are: Agriculture, Healthy, Education and training, Energy, and Economic sectors.”

“As an independent candidate, I answer only to the people, not to party bosses or special interest groups. I will be engaging, and be the voice of the people on the issues that matter most.” He furthers

Ends…