Tough regional race looms for Swapo

Swapo will contest all 121 constituencies in the upcoming regional council elections on 26 November, making it the only political formation with nationwide coverage.According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s (ECN&#039;s) official list, the governing party faces competition in almost every constituency from a diverse field of opposition movements and independent candidates – a reflection of the country’s growing multiparty democracy.Close behind Swapo are the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), both of which have fielded candidates across most regions, positioning themselves as the primary challengers.The IPC is contesting in 118 constituencies, while the PDM is represented in 108, giving both parties a broad national footprint and the ability to challenge Swapo in nearly every corner of the country.Smaller but regionally strong political movements such as the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Affirmative Repositioning (AR), and the Body of Christ Party (BCP) are also contesting in key constituencies.The LPM, which rose to prominence in southern Namibia, is fielding candidates in about 47 constituencies, mainly in the ||Kharas, Hardap, Erongo, Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions.The BCP has a strong presence in the north, appearing in 33 constituencies, particularly in Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto.AR is focusing on Namibia’s major urban centres, with candidates running in about 17 constituencies, including Katutura, Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay and Ondangwa.Fewer representativesOther parties, such as the National Democratic Party (NDP), the Republican Party (RP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), each have representation in 14 to 16 constituencies, particularly in Erongo, Kunene, and Otjozondjupa.Meanwhile, smaller groups like the People Unite for Change (PUC), All People’s Party (APP), SWANU of Namibia and the United Namibians Party (UNP) are contesting selectively, mostly in central and northern Namibia.The Congress of Democrats (CoD), once a parliamentary opposition party, is contesting only one constituency – Ongenga in Ohangwena – while new entrants such as the Namibia Progressive Party (NPP) and the Action Democratic Movement (ADM) are making limited appearances in Windhoek and Okaku, respectively.Going solo Independent candidates are spread across regions. A total of 68 independent candidates have been cleared to contest the regional elections.Their presence is strongest in the Khomas, Erongo, Hardap, Kavango East and West and ||Kharas regions – areas that have historically been more open to non-party political participation.Constituencies such as Gobabis, Otjombinde, Rundu Rural, Dâures and Omaruru each feature independent contenders challenging both ruling and opposition parties.The Khomas region has the highest concentration of independents, particularly in Katutura Central and East, Samora Machel, Tobias Hainyeko and Windhoek Rural, where civic-based campaigns have focused on service delivery and youth unemployment.The Kavango regions also show strong independent representation, including in Mukwe, Mashare and Ncuncuni.In the south, independent candidates are standing in Berseba, Karasburg and Rehoboth, while the north-east features independents in Kongola, Linyanti and Judea Lyaboloma.Central hotspotThe Khomas region emerges as the most competitive area in the country, with up to nine parties contesting in some constituencies.In Katutura Central, Samora Machel and Khomasdal, voters will choose from a crowded ballot featuring Swapo, IPC, PDM, LPM, AR, UDF, RP and several independents.In the northern regions of Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto and Omusati – traditional Swapo strongholds – opposition is mounting through coordinated efforts by the IPC, BCP and NEFF.In Erongo, political diversity is evident, with Swapo, IPC, PDM, UDF and LPM contesting side by side in Arandis, Swakopmund and Omaruru.The ||Kharas Region, long regarded as LPM territory, continues to see competition from Swapo, IPC and PDM, particularly in Berseba, Keetmanshoop and Karasburg.In the Kavango regions, local dynamics remain fluid, with independent candidates such as Rundu Rural’s Paulus Mbangu – who won as an independent in 2020 – once again highlighting a shift toward community-based representation.Grassroots wideningIn total, Namibia has 25 registered political parties and 29 registered associations or organisations with the ECN, though only 20 political parties are contesting in this year’s regional elections.The ECN described the wide range of contestants as evidence of “a deepening of Namibia’s multiparty democracy at grassroots level.”With 1 499 449 registered voters expected to cast their ballots for representatives in 14 regional councils and 57 local authorities, the 2025 elections will test both political endurance and the strength of local structures.

Tough regional race looms for Swapo

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-26

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Tough regional race looms for Swapo

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-26

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