Voters started making their way to polling stations in slightly larger numbers after 17h00.

"They are now flooding in," Director of Elections, Phillemon Kanime, said last night.

"We might need reinforcements from other places where it is quiet".

Polling officials and party agents spent most of yesterday twiddling their thumbs.

At some polling stations there were more election officials than voters for most of the day.

By 19h00, the Baines Shopping Centre and Wernhil Park were the busiest, mainly because people could vote inbetween doing their shopping.

Many of the voters who spoke to The Namibian said the candidates were unable to give "local flavour" to the elections, with the majority of statements and rallies driven by national politicians.

Some said they did not believe that regional councillors would be able to deliver the services they needed and opted to stay away until the next local or national elections.

Still there were those who decided to vote.

"I have been doing this since Independence.

I never miss the elections," said 82-year-old Herman Arie Geurtse, who voted at the Baines Shopping Centre.

For young Jason Namugongo it was his first time in a polling booth.

"I'm very excited to vote because it is my right," he said loudly.

"We need people like the one I voted for.

She will improve Rocky Crest.

We need facilities for leisure," the young unemployed man said.

Pointing to a group of young girls in uniform standing and smoking outside an entertainment bar, he said "that is the life here".

Across the city at Emma Hoogenhout Primary School, a young women cast her vote along party loyalty lines.

"I can't trust any other party or person of any other party," she said as she whisked past The Namibian reporter.

Her friend, who did not vote as she is not registered, said Namibian politics had become predictable.

"Whether I vote or not, I expect the same outcome," she said.

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