Hundreds of polling officials claim ECN owes them money
Augetto Graig
WINDHOEK
Hundreds of election officials who worked during the November 2025 local authority and regional council elections say they were underpaid by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).The disgruntled workers have formed a WhatsApp group, ECN Outstanding Fees, which has attracted about 820 members. The group’s administrators have approached the ombudsman for intervention.
Service contracts stated that officials would be employed from 23 to 29 November, with fixed rates for each position. Many temporary workers say these expectations were not met. Several officials declined to be identified, citing fears of being blacklisted from future election work.
Widespread claims of underpayment
A presiding officer in the ||Karas Region said he expected N$8 213 but received N$6 800. Polling officers received N$5 348 and voter verification officers N$5 598, all less than expected. He added that training days, meant to be paid at N$250 per day, were also not fully compensated, despite poor training conditions.
“No one was paid correctly,” he said, adding that he had previously lost N$1 800 during a supplementary registration campaign but stayed silent to avoid jeopardising later work.
Election officials in Arandis confirmed they have not been paid at all. Outstanding payment lists were submitted to the ECN by 24 December, though officials say feedback has been unclear. Sixteen presiding officers from Karasburg East submitted similar claims.
An Erongo official said ECN responses have been inconsistent, with different explanations from human resources staff. Presiding officers from Gibeon, Stampriet and Aranos reported similar frustrations, with some saying they were paid only half of what they expected.
ECN defends payment processIn response, the ECN said it has received complaints but maintains all payments were processed according to signed contracts. More than 18 000 officials were contracted, with payments based strictly on verified attendance registers and actual duties performed.
The ECN said payment processing began on 1 December, with initial payments made during the week of 8 December and final payments by 22 December. Officials who believe they were underpaid were advised to submit verifiable evidence through regional offices.
The Commission said it had sufficient funding for the elections and remains committed to resolving the matter transparently.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Hundreds of election officials who worked during the November 2025 local authority and regional council elections say they were underpaid by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).The disgruntled workers have formed a WhatsApp group, ECN Outstanding Fees, which has attracted about 820 members. The group’s administrators have approached the ombudsman for intervention.
Service contracts stated that officials would be employed from 23 to 29 November, with fixed rates for each position. Many temporary workers say these expectations were not met. Several officials declined to be identified, citing fears of being blacklisted from future election work.
Widespread claims of underpayment
A presiding officer in the ||Karas Region said he expected N$8 213 but received N$6 800. Polling officers received N$5 348 and voter verification officers N$5 598, all less than expected. He added that training days, meant to be paid at N$250 per day, were also not fully compensated, despite poor training conditions.
“No one was paid correctly,” he said, adding that he had previously lost N$1 800 during a supplementary registration campaign but stayed silent to avoid jeopardising later work.
Election officials in Arandis confirmed they have not been paid at all. Outstanding payment lists were submitted to the ECN by 24 December, though officials say feedback has been unclear. Sixteen presiding officers from Karasburg East submitted similar claims.
An Erongo official said ECN responses have been inconsistent, with different explanations from human resources staff. Presiding officers from Gibeon, Stampriet and Aranos reported similar frustrations, with some saying they were paid only half of what they expected.
ECN defends payment processIn response, the ECN said it has received complaints but maintains all payments were processed according to signed contracts. More than 18 000 officials were contracted, with payments based strictly on verified attendance registers and actual duties performed.
The ECN said payment processing began on 1 December, with initial payments made during the week of 8 December and final payments by 22 December. Officials who believe they were underpaid were advised to submit verifiable evidence through regional offices.
The Commission said it had sufficient funding for the elections and remains committed to resolving the matter transparently.
[email protected]
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