The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says preparations for the upcoming Guinas constituency by-election in the Oshikoto region are on track.
The by-election, scheduled for 17 January, has been necessitated by the death of councillor Elias Marthinu on 21 October 2024.
The brothers Fransiscus and Moses Khumub are the only two candidates to contest in the by-election.
Fransiscus is a Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member, while Moses is a Swapo member.
The commission on Friday issued a statement, saying it has rolled out voter education initiatives.
ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka says: “The nomination period commenced on 6 December 2024 and ended on 21 December 2024 in respect of registered political parties, while prospective independent candidates were to submit their nominations before 19 December 2024 at 16h00.”
He says at the close of the public sitting on 21 December 2024, two nominations were received – on from the LPM and one from Swapo.
“The two are thus the only political parties contesting the Guinas constituency by-election,” he says.
Siluka says the commission, in consultation with key electoral stakeholders, has established five fixed and 15 mobile polling stations to be served by four mobile teams and five fixed teams in administering the polls.
“In addition, the commission will deploy all the necessary materials and equipment as outlined in the electoral schedule,” he says.
Siluka says the printing of ballot papers will commence on 10 January after the verification and signing-off of the sample ballot paper by authorised representatives of contesting political parties on 8 January.
“Solitare Press was awarded the bid for the design, printing and delivery of 4 600 ballot papers at the value of N$332 793.90,” he says.
Siluka says the commission will train and recruit 50 polling officials to be deployed at various polling stations.
He says the commission will issue duplicate voter’s cards from 14 to 16 January.
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