Africa-Press – Namibia. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has expressed confidence in the smooth conduct of the upcoming Regional and Local Authority Elections, according to its Chief Electoral Officer, Peter Shaama.
The ECN also announced that the 2025 Regional Council polls in the Ogongo constituency will continue despite the recent resignation of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) candidate, Ndalikutya Arkeleus Shonena. Speaking during a media briefing at the ECN headquarters in Windhoek yesterday, Shaama said the commission has seen a notable increase in the number of registered voters compared to previous elections. He said that historically, the Regional and Local Authority (RCLA) elections have recorded low voter turnout since Namibia’s first democratic elections in 1992.
“Esteemed stakeholders, historical trends of holding elections in Namibia from 1992 to 2020 show that RCLA elections are characterised by low voter turnout with the highest turnout of 82.3% recorded in 1992, and 38.3% and 43.2% recorded in 2020 respectively,” Shaama stated.
He added that the ECN has intensified its civic and voter education campaigns to promote electoral democracy and inclusive participation across the country.
“We have seen a 16% increase in voter turnout in 2024 for the Presidential (76.68%) and National Assembly Elections (76%), compared to 60.8% and 60.4% in 2019 respectively,” he said.
In the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)’s post-election report for 2020: The final voters’ register showed 1,408 670 registered for the regional council elections and 451 870 registered for the local authority elections. While for the 2020 regional/local elections the number of actual votes cast for regional counts. A total of 526 373 voted in the regional elections while, 195 072 casted their votes in 2020.
Shaama attributed the rise in voter participation to the commission’s nationwide information and outreach programmes.
“We have used various platforms to educate citizens on the importance of voting. Our outreach teams visited remote areas such as Kunene, Zambezi, and Kavango to raise awareness about the electoral process,” he said.
The ECN revealed that a total 1,670 813 eligible to voters, with 691 080 men and 808 419 women appear on the final list. Out of the total, 643 117 are youth voters, while 22 245 are persons with disabilities.
Meanwhile, Shaama said the withdrawal of a candidate’s nomination can be under the circumstances confined strictly only to death or incapacitation.
“Given the fact that the circumstances necessitating the calling off of the poll in terms of Section 83 of the Electoral Act do not exist, the Commission’s position is that the poll in Ogongo constituency, Omusati Region, will in terms of the Electoral Act proceed on the determined date of Wednesday, 26 November 2025,” he said.
The resignation was followed by the widespread media reports suggesting that the Ogongo poll would be terminated.
However, the ECN maintained its position that the poll would not be terminated based on the provisions of Section 83 of the Electoral Act, 2014.
The act states that the President must withdraw the proclamation determining the polling day in so far as it concerns the constituency only if a duly nominated candidate dies or becomes incapacitated before the poll commences,
The act also states that the poll can only be terminated by the returning officer if the death or incapacitation occurs while the poll is taking place.
Shaama also said that the nominations for the general election of members of all regional councils concluded in accordance with Proclamation No. 37 of 2025.
The proclamation designated Thursday, 16 October 2025, as the day for the submission of nominations, and scheduled the poll for Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
“The necessary preparatory steps have followed this timeline, including the printing of ballot papers.”
“The Commission’s position, premised strictly on the relevant legislative framework, is that the poll would only be called off if the specific circumstances listed in Section 83 of the Electoral Act, 2014, were met,” said Shaama.
The former IPC candidate, Ndalikutya Arkeleus Shonena has since joined Swapo.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
