Swapo resurges, IPC declines and PDM hangs on

Namibia’s 2025 elections have redrawn both the regional and local political maps, producing distinct patterns in the regional council contests and local authority races. The results show clear gains and losses among political parties, stronger performances by several independents in regional constituencies, the continued relevance of civic associations in towns and divergent voter turnout trends between the two systems.The outcomes reveal a political map marked by consolidation at the top, volatility in the mid-tier and persistent fragmentation among smaller actors.They also highlight an electorate increasingly selective about where and how it participates – more engaged in regional governance, far more disillusioned with local authority politics, and still willing to back independents and civic groups where party structures fail to inspire confidence.The regional council elections delivered a quiet but meaningful rebalancing of political power. Swapo recorded the most significant gain, rising from 56.77% in 2020 to 63.35% in 2025, equivalent to 382 067 votes – a recovery of 6.58 percentage points.Although still below its 2015 level of 77.16%, the increase marks a consolidation of support in rural and semi-urban areas.The United Democratic Front (UDF) was also strengthened, climbing from 1.89% to 2.86% and securing 17 272 votes, an improvement of 0.97 percentage points.The National Democratic Party (NDP) increased its share from 0.01% to 0.37%, translating into 2 204 votes. Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) rose modestly from 0.03% to 0.05%.Two new entrants in this arena – Affirmative Repositioning (AR) with 1.26% (7 598 votes) and the Body of Christ Party (BCP) with 0.69% (4 157 votes) – expanded within the political field rather than registering gains.Lost groundThe steepest decline was recorded by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which fell from 17.44% in 2020 to 12.30% this year, a loss of 5.14 percentage points, translating into 74 176 votes.The Landless People's Movement (LPM) dropped from 6.86% to 3.73% (22 512 votes), a decline of 3.13 points.The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) slid from 6.93% to 5.20% (31 388 votes), continuing a downward trajectory from its 2015 total of 8.67%.The National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) also declined from 2.36% to 1.76% (10 601 votes), deepening a long-term fall from 3.80% a decade ago.The All People's Party (APP) dropped from 0.75% to 0.22%.Older parties such as the Republican Party (RP), SWANU, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) and United People's Movement (UPM) continued to lose ground, with RDP falling to 0.02% – a dramatic retreat from its 4.22% share in 2015.Losses and winsThe local authority elections showed far sharper shifts. Swapo surged from 39.85% in 2020 to 52.40% in 2025, winning 141 181 votes – a dramatic gain of 12.55 percentage points and a decisive reversal of its urban setbacks in 2020.UDF rose from 2.98% to 4.14%, securing 11 166 votes. NDP increased from 0.08% to 0.44%. NEFF climbed from 0.18% to 0.68%. AR made a strong debut with 4.07% (10 954 votes), while BCP entered with 0.49%.A Right to Shelter Foundation (A-RTS-N) secured 0.83% (2 248 votes), also marking a noteworthy first-time appearance.The steepest losses were recorded by LPM, which dropped from 14.21% to 5.85% (15 749 votes), a decline of 8.36 percentage points – the largest fall of any party at the local level.IPC fell from 21.20% to 15.01% (40 448 votes), a decline of 6.19 points, but still strong enough to remain the second-largest force nationally.PDM decreased from 7.93% to 5.24% (14 111 votes), extending its decade-long drop from 9.19% in 2015.NUDO slipped from 2.25% to 1.77% (4 771 votes), while APP marginally decreased from 0.59% to 0.46%.Smaller and older parties such as RP, RDP, SWANU and UPM continued long-term declines, with RDP now at 0.09% – a significant collapse from 3.08% in 2015.Independent actors The regional council elections produced several notable performances by independents, some of whom outpolled registered parties.Mbangu Nginga Paulus remained the best-performing independent, rising from 0.36% in 2020 to 0.51% in 2025, earning 3 057 votes.Kashumali Petrus Ndumba followed with 0.45%.Kuzeeko Veronia Gomotsang secured 0.38%, placing her above several minor parties.Lisken Elizabeth Claasen and Muronga Isdor Munkanda each received 0.31%. Kambrude Harald James collected 0.29%.Among returning independents, Mazenge Uaundja Koos increased from 0.11% to 0.27%, while Karongee Rukundji doubled his share from 0.09% to 0.18%.Declines were recorded by Kabunga Ivene Vistor, who moved from 0.37% to 0.24%, and Divai Gwelu Humphrey, who fell from 0.24% to 0.12%.The strongest independents outperformed several registered parties, including RDP, the Namibia Progressive Party (NAPPA), the Congress of Democrats (CoD) and UPM, confirming the persistent relevance of community-rooted candidates.Local authority elections provided space for civic organisations and residents’ groups, several of which secured meaningful support.A Right to Shelter Foundation attracted 2 248 votes (0.83%), making it one of the most visible new civic players nationwide.The Swakopmund Residents Association continued its local influence with 2 175 votes (0.81%).These results show that structured local associations maintain a foothold in Namibia’s urban political landscape, often surpassing smaller political parties in terms of support and visibility.Turnout numbers Regional council turnout reached 40.7% in 2025, continuing a gradual rise from 36.5% in 2015 and 38.3% in 2020.A total of 609 013 ballots were cast from 1 499 449 registered voters, with 603 067 valid and 5 946 rejected.This incremental recovery suggests a rising belief that regional councils influence service delivery more directly.Local authority turnout moved in the opposite direction. In 2025 it collapsed to 36.29%, down from 43.2% in 2020 and below the 39.6% recorded in 2015.Out of 752 043 registered voters, only 272 942 cast ballots, with 269 430 valid and 3 512 rejected.Nearly half a million registered voters did not participate, underlining growing urban disengagement and disillusionment with municipal performance.Across the country, Swapo remained the strongest party in both elections, supported by 382 067 regional council votes and 141 181 local authority votes. IPC held second place with 74 176 regional votes and 40 448 local votes.PDM remained third nationally with 31 388 regional and 14 111 local votes, followed by LPM and UDF.

Swapo resurges, IPC declines and PDM hangs on

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-01

Please login to leave a comment

Swapo resurges, IPC declines and PDM hangs on

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-01

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content