The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has led a protest over the granting of the printing tender for ballot papers to a South African-based company, Ren-Form.

The supporters marched to the ECN headquarters to hand over a petition demanding the ECN withdraw the tender award or else they would take unspecified action.

PDM's President, McHenry Venaani, who led the protest, warned the ECN to be cautious and maintain peace and stability, as well as ensure free and fair elections.

"We don't want you to play the politics; let us play the politics. Your job is to adjudicate free and fair elections. We are not supposed to stand here in front of you giving petitions; we are supposed to campaign. It's because of your irregular actions, that are unprocedural, that you are forcing us to come and hand over the petition."

Venaani expressed disappointment in the ECN for selecting Ren Form, which he accused of alleged corrupt practices.

Ren Form is reportedly being investigated by the Zimbabwean Anti-Corruption Commission for money laundering, corruption, and inflating tender prices.

"The ECN has recklessly chosen this same corrupt entity to handle election material for Namibia's most important democratic process in 2024. You are putting our democratic credentials at stake."

Venaani stated that the ECN must retract without any further delay and seek a reputable, untainted supplier to ensure that public trust is restored.

"We hereby demand an immediate termination of the Ren Form CC contract. Ren Form CC must be immediately stopped from procuring election material for the upcoming presidential and national assembly elections. The involvement of a company under active investigation for corruption and overinflating tender in another country is a red flag to the integrity and transparency of Namibia's electoral process."

Venaani added that an internal investigation must be launched to determine how the ECN came to the award.