The socio-economic challenges facing Namibia are known to the governing party and are in no way denied or hidden, said SWAPO president Hage Geingob during his campaign rally in Mariental on Friday. It is for this reason that he wants the electorate to give SWAPO another five years to continue its programme of stabilising economic growth. President Geingob reminded Namibians that election contestations should be based on issues and ideas, instead of personal attacks. He said that it was sad to note that campaigns are degenerating into personal insults and other divisive forms. As the ruling party’s democracy continues to mature, President Geingob said, so has its approaches to intra-party and national campaigns. SWAPO boasts a governing track-record of 29 years and Geingob told the party members and supporters that they are entering another challenge in elections against other political parties. However, he observed that of late campaigns are resorting to personal attacks, instead of ideas outlined in the manifestos. The ruling party welcomed about 105 new members to its fold at Mariental. Some of the new members abandoned their allegiances to the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP). President Geingob said SWAPO’s growth in membership is due to its principles on unity. The Mariental rally was the second one SWAPO held in southern regions, as it is taking the campaigns to north, northern eastern and western regions.