The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) and the Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) are challenging their deregistration by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) over their non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2014. 

The ECN has since requested the withdrawal of the parties' MPs from the National Assembly with immediate effect.

In a communication to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Peter Katjavivi, the Chairperson of the ECN, Elsie Nghikembua, stated that the parties failed to adhere to the Act's requirements to timely submit their financial statements.

In response, NEFF leader Epafras Mukwiilongo confirmed the deregistration of his party and promised to address the media later.

CDV's leader, Gotthardt Kandume, on the other hand, criticised the ECN's decision, calling it unjust and premature. 

Kandume argued that there was a prior agreement with the ECN regarding the submission deadline for the financial reports.

"We had communicated to the ECN that we would submit our financial report on the 30th of this month, which is a Sunday; they accepted this arrangement, but have now deregistered us without checking the date. The ECN sent us a letter in May, requesting the submission of financial statements by May 29. We complied with that request. However, for the final report, we informed them that our financial year ends in September and requested a grace period until June 30 to submit the necessary documents. They agreed to this extension."

Kandume stated that the auditors had confirmed that the party would meet the June 30th deadline as agreed upon and contemplated suing the ECN.

Despite the current predicament, the CDV's leader reaffirmed the legitimacy of the party's elected MPs as sworn in by the Chief Justice. 

The implications of the deregistration of the CDV and NEFF on their participation in the November national elections remain to be seen.

ECN's spokesperson, De Wet Siluka, said details regarding the deregistration would be provided in due course.