In 1998, the electoral commission was removed from the prime minister s office and reorganized as an independent agency. While the president still appoints commission members, he does so on the advice of a board that includes representatives of civil society. The new commission increased the credibility of the electoral process. The COD and the Turnhalle Alliance each got 7 seats. The United Democratic Front won 2 seats and the Monitor Action group won 1 seat.
Political discussion is generally open and vigorous.
Political parties can organize and operate freely. Scant funding is the greatest impediment to political party growth. Herero and Damara people are among minority ethnic groups demanding larger government allocations for development in their home areas. Respect for human rights in Namibia has been among the best in Africa, although allegations of abuses by security forces have emerged from the Caprivi Strip, the border with Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Namibian National Society for Human Rights said up to 500 people were arrested and subjected to acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman treatment and punishment in Caprivi in August 1999.