Parliament scrutinizes Gerson Sindano's ECN chairperson nomination amid transparency demands
via The Namibian2 min read
Parliament is reviewing President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah鈥檚 nomination of Gerson Sindano as Electoral Commission of Namibia ECN chairperson. This follows calls for transparency and threats of legal action from opposition figures. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda demanded access to selection process documents, threatening court action if a parliamentary vote proceeds without their release. Parliamentarian Pohamba Shifeta, chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs, confirmed the nomination and stated that all requirements of the Electoral Act 5 of 2014 have been met. Sindano is currently an ECN commissioner, with his term ending in 2027, while the current chairperson's term expires in September. Lawyers for the speaker have agreed to make relevant documents available to all members of the National Assembly. Government attorney Nelao Alexander rejected claims of an unlawful or non-transparent process. Landless People鈥檚 Movement parliamentarian Eneas Emvula and Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Abed Hishoono raised concerns about the lack of parliamentary scrutiny and transparency in the appointment process, warning of potential future legal challenges to the ECN.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Star flyhalf Finn Russell is back in the Scotland team for a Nations Championship match against world champions South Africa in Pretoria this Saturday. The 33-year-old British and Irish Lion missed Scotland's recent victory over Argentina due to a calf injury. Russell replaces Tom Jordan, who is now among the eight replacements for the Test at Loftus Versfeld stadium. Coach Gregor Townsend made two other changes to the starting lineup, with tighthead prop Zander Fagerson replacing Elliot Millar Mills and lock Gregor Brown promoted in place of Jonny Gray. Scotland aims to end a nine-match losing streak against the four-time Rugby World Cup champions. This will be Scotland's first match in South Africa since 2014. Inside centre Sione Tuipulotu will captain the team.
Tadej Pogacar won the mountainous sixth stage of the Tour de France, reclaiming the race leader鈥檚 yellow jersey. Pogacar now leads by 2 minutes 42 seconds over his main rival Jonas Vingegaard, who finished second on the 186km Pyrenean stage from Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre. Pogacar set a new record for the fastest time up the Tourmalet on his way to his 23rd Tour stage victory. His team-mate Isaac Del Toro secured third place, moving ahead of Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings. Torstein Traeen, who started the day in yellow, lost contact with the lead group on the Tourmalet climb and later crashed, finishing half an hour behind. Pogacar鈥檚 UAE Emirates-XRG team increased the pace on the Col d鈥橝spin and Col du Tourmalet, with temperatures reaching 40C. Pogacar attacked about 4km from the summit of the Tourmalet, quickly gaining a lead over his rivals. Vingegaard acknowledged the tough day but stated his belief in himself and that the fight for the overall victory is not over. Australian Ben O鈥機onnor attempted a solo breakaway earlier in the stage, but was reeled in by UAE. The pace set by Pogacar's team also caused other riders, including Alex Baudin, to fall behind.
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has made five changes to the All Blacks' starting lineup for the upcoming Nations Championship Test against Italy in Wellington. Leroy Carter will start on the left wing, replacing Caleb Clarke, while Billy Proctor comes in at outside centre. Tyrel Lomax, lock Tupou Vaa鈥檌, and flanker Wallace Sititi are also included in the starting XV. The replacements bench features six new faces, including German-born loose forward Anton Segner and wing Josh Moorby, who are both in line for their potential debuts. Rennie stated that the changes provide opportunities for players who have earned their spots and that the team respects Italy, acknowledging their capability to challenge any team in the Six Nations competition. Italy has never defeated New Zealand in their 17 previous encounters, with New Zealand winning their last match in Turin in 2024 with a score of 29-11.