At the United People's Movement's (UPM) manifesto launch by Jan van Wyk, it became clear that the party was divided into two, with each faction claiming to be in charge.

Despite a court order to reinstate expelled members of one of the factions, Van Wyk went ahead and launched the party manifesto.

A leader and former Secretary General of the party, Celeste Becker, is concerned about the manner in which the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) handled their case. 

This is because Jan van Wyk is still regarded by the ECN as the legitimate president of the UPM.

Becker accused the ECN of refusing to recognise her as the elected UPM Secretary General and as the party's official representative on the Political Party Liaison Committee, instead appointing Francis Huish on the instructions of Van Wyk, who according to her vacated his position in September.

Becker stated that the UPM informed the ECN of leadership changes and requested the Secretary General be reinstated as the official representative.

"There was a court ruling on the 30th of July this year, instructing the defendants to reinstate these members. However, these members were expelled from the party in April 2023. They have not challenged their decision, and therefore they are no more members of EU-JPN and therefore cannot be reinstated. It was the first time that they challenged that decision of the Central Committee, and that decision was set aside by the court. They remain no members of the EU-JPN and therefore cannot be reinstated. That is my short answer."