IPC president Panduleni Itula cites Article 57 in call for resolution to parliamentary deadlock

Itula clarified on Sunday that Article 57 of the Constitution mandates the president to ensure effective governance by upholding, protecting, and defending the Constitution. This statement follows criticism from opposition parties regarding his proposal to dissolve parliament last week. Itula also denied any claims of internal divisions within the IPC.

He argued that the prolonged parliamentary deadlock constitutes a governance crisis rather than a typical political disagreement. His comments come as the eighth parliament has not passed a single ordinary government bill into law in 16 months, though the budget bill and the mental health bill have advanced. Itula emphasized that parliament's purpose is to make laws, scrutinize the executive, and represent the people, warning that continued legislative delays undermine governance, postpone reforms, create investor uncertainty, and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

He noted that Namibia has entered a new political era where no single party holds overwhelming parliamentary dominance, making negotiation, compromise, and consensus crucial for effective parliamentary function. He urged all po