ECN completes 90% voter registration ahead of 2025 polls
Namibia has achieved a 90% voter registration rate ahead of the 2025 regional council and local authority elections, with nearly 1.5 million citizens now on the electoral roll, according to figures released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).
Out of 1,670,813 eligible voters before 4 August 2025, a total of 1,499,235 successfully registered. This includes 53,802 new applicants, 43,610 amendments, and 12,521 duplicate registrations.
Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer Peter Shaama described the outcome on Friday as a “solid foundation for a credible election.”
Regional disparities
While the national picture shows strong voter preparedness, registration rates varied significantly across regions.
In the Zambezi Region, 54,463 of 62,900 eligible voters registered, reflecting an 87% rate. Constituencies such as Linyanti (99%) and Sibbinda (93%) performed well, while Katima Mulilo Rural lagged at 74%.
Otjozondjupa Region registered 109,793 of 123,804 eligible voters (89%). Grootfontein (91%) and Otjiwarongo (90%) performed strongly, though Omutako trailed with 82%.
Kunene Region recorded some unusual figures, with 61,657 registered voters against 60,015 eligible, giving 103%. Constituencies such as Epupa (122%), Sesfontein (117%), and Opuwo Urban (109%) exceeded their eligible populations, raising questions of over-registration.
Similar anomalies appeared in Hardap, where Rehoboth Urban West (109%) and Mariental Urban (105%) exceeded their bases, and in Erongo, where Karibib (109%) and Arandis (107%) also overshot.
Conversely, Kavango East and West had the lowest participation levels, at 83% each. Ncuncuni (59%) in Kavango West recorded the lowest registration rate nationwide, followed by Rehoboth Rural (67%) and Katima Mulilo (65%).
Supplementary registration
Provisional figures for supplementary registration in local authority elections show 745,429 voters across 59 councils, representing a 78% registration rate. Eligibility before 4 August stood at 720,994, rising with 24,435 new applications, 22,988 amendments, and 5,384 duplicates.
In the Khomas Region, including Windhoek, 257,504 of 329,237 eligible voters registered (78%), below the national average. Rundu in Kavango East recorded 78%, while Divundu reached 85%. Nkurenkuru in Kavango West also achieved 85%.
Hardap showed extremes: Kalkrand (128%), Gochas (126%), and Maltahöhe (120%) exceeded their eligible numbers, while Rehoboth (76%) lagged. In Kunene, Kamanjab (125%), Khorixas (112%), and Opuwo (105%) exceeded their bases, while Outjo registered 93%.
Alarming lows appeared in Omusati, with Outapi (37%), Okahao (39%), and Ruacana (41%) below 50%. Ohangwena’s Eenhana (60%) and Helao Nafidi (64%) also underperformed. By contrast, Oshikoto’s Oniipa recorded the highest anomaly, with 4,610 registered voters against 3,053 eligible – 151%. In Erongo, Swakopmund achieved 86%, while Usakos (104%) and Karibib (114%) exceeded their bases.
Concerns over irregularities
The discrepancies between eligible and registered voters, especially cases exceeding population figures, are expected to draw scrutiny from political parties, analysts, and observers.
Shaama maintained that the registration process was transparent, noting that the figures remain provisional and subject to audit before certification. The ECN will now open a verification process, allowing the public to inspect the provisional roll and file objections.
“The high turnout demonstrates Namibians’ commitment to democracy. Our task now is to safeguard the integrity of the roll to ensure free and fair elections,” Shaama said.
Out of 1,670,813 eligible voters before 4 August 2025, a total of 1,499,235 successfully registered. This includes 53,802 new applicants, 43,610 amendments, and 12,521 duplicate registrations.
Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer Peter Shaama described the outcome on Friday as a “solid foundation for a credible election.”
Regional disparities
While the national picture shows strong voter preparedness, registration rates varied significantly across regions.
In the Zambezi Region, 54,463 of 62,900 eligible voters registered, reflecting an 87% rate. Constituencies such as Linyanti (99%) and Sibbinda (93%) performed well, while Katima Mulilo Rural lagged at 74%.
Otjozondjupa Region registered 109,793 of 123,804 eligible voters (89%). Grootfontein (91%) and Otjiwarongo (90%) performed strongly, though Omutako trailed with 82%.
Kunene Region recorded some unusual figures, with 61,657 registered voters against 60,015 eligible, giving 103%. Constituencies such as Epupa (122%), Sesfontein (117%), and Opuwo Urban (109%) exceeded their eligible populations, raising questions of over-registration.
Similar anomalies appeared in Hardap, where Rehoboth Urban West (109%) and Mariental Urban (105%) exceeded their bases, and in Erongo, where Karibib (109%) and Arandis (107%) also overshot.
Conversely, Kavango East and West had the lowest participation levels, at 83% each. Ncuncuni (59%) in Kavango West recorded the lowest registration rate nationwide, followed by Rehoboth Rural (67%) and Katima Mulilo (65%).
Supplementary registration
Provisional figures for supplementary registration in local authority elections show 745,429 voters across 59 councils, representing a 78% registration rate. Eligibility before 4 August stood at 720,994, rising with 24,435 new applications, 22,988 amendments, and 5,384 duplicates.
In the Khomas Region, including Windhoek, 257,504 of 329,237 eligible voters registered (78%), below the national average. Rundu in Kavango East recorded 78%, while Divundu reached 85%. Nkurenkuru in Kavango West also achieved 85%.
Hardap showed extremes: Kalkrand (128%), Gochas (126%), and Maltahöhe (120%) exceeded their eligible numbers, while Rehoboth (76%) lagged. In Kunene, Kamanjab (125%), Khorixas (112%), and Opuwo (105%) exceeded their bases, while Outjo registered 93%.
Alarming lows appeared in Omusati, with Outapi (37%), Okahao (39%), and Ruacana (41%) below 50%. Ohangwena’s Eenhana (60%) and Helao Nafidi (64%) also underperformed. By contrast, Oshikoto’s Oniipa recorded the highest anomaly, with 4,610 registered voters against 3,053 eligible – 151%. In Erongo, Swakopmund achieved 86%, while Usakos (104%) and Karibib (114%) exceeded their bases.
Concerns over irregularities
The discrepancies between eligible and registered voters, especially cases exceeding population figures, are expected to draw scrutiny from political parties, analysts, and observers.
Shaama maintained that the registration process was transparent, noting that the figures remain provisional and subject to audit before certification. The ECN will now open a verification process, allowing the public to inspect the provisional roll and file objections.
“The high turnout demonstrates Namibians’ commitment to democracy. Our task now is to safeguard the integrity of the roll to ensure free and fair elections,” Shaama said.
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