Vyf tussenverkiesings vind volgende week plaas.Foto argief
Vyf tussenverkiesings vind volgende week plaas.Foto argief

ECN prepares for 5 local authority by-elections

Voters to vote in the constituencies where they are registered.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia is currently training approximately 850 election officials.
Augetto Graig
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will hold five by-elections in Grootfontein, Kamanjab, Otjiwarongo, Sesfontein, and the Kabbe South constituency (south of Katima Mulilo) next Tuesday.

The ECN is currently training approximately 850 election officials until Saturday in Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo, Kamanjab, and Katima Mulilo for the Kabbe South election, along with training in Opuwo for the Sesfontein by-election.

Officials are being trained in election laws and regulations, their responsibilities during the upcoming elections, the correct forms to use, skills to assist voters, use of voter verification devices, uploading and forwarding results, closing polling stations after voting, and handling disputes and challenges.



Party lists apply



Voters are encouraged to participate in the elections in their respective constituencies, according to a recent statement by ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka.

He confirmed in response to queries that the successful candidates will only serve until the upcoming national regional and local authority elections.

As National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila explained during the justification of ECN's annual budget in April, by-elections must be held within three months after a seat on a regional council becomes vacant, as stipulated by the Namibian Regional Councils Act.

Siluka says the announcement of this year’s national campaign dates, relating to regional councils and local authorities, can be expected around 24 June.

One key difference between the regional council elections and the parliamentary elections held last year is that voters vote directly for candidates in regional councils, rather than through party lists.

Voters may also only vote in the constituencies where they are registered.

Party lists still apply in local authority elections.

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-15

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