The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) spent N$16.33 million on five by-elections in the Otjozondjupa, Kunene and Zambezi regions during the 2025/26 financial year.
This is contained in the ECN assessment performance and post-election report for by-elections held on 17 June 2025, tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The by-elections were held in the Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo, Kamanjab, Sesfontein and Kabbe South constituencies.
They follow the resignation of several councillors, who were elected to the National Assembly after the November 2024 national elections.
The councillors who vacated their seats include United Democratic Front’s Nico Somaeb (Kamanjab), Hendrik Gaobaeb (Sesfontein), Marlyn Mbakera (Otjiwarongo), Elder Filipe (Grootfontein) and John Likando at Kabbe South.
“The commission, through its annual budget submission, makes provision for three by-elections during any given financial year.
However, the commission conducted five by-elections during this financial year.
“To ensure accountability, every expenditure item is accounted for and published in this report,” the report reads.
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua on Tuesday expressed gratitude to all residents, political parties and candidates for the peaceful manner in which voting was conducted.
“Your behaviour reflects the spirit of democracy enshrined in our Constitution – a spirit that unites us as a nation, regardless of our political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, or geographic locations,” she said.
According to the Electoral Act, the chairperson of the commission must, within six months after an election, submit to the National Assembly a copy of the performance assessment and post-election report.
The speaker of the National Assembly must then ensure the assembly considers the report and distributes it to the president, the chief justice, the chairperson of the Electoral Court, the chairperson of the Magistrates Commission of Namibia and the chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission.
Thereafter, the speaker of the National Assembly must make the report available to the public.
A total of 59 391 final voters were registered on 13 June 2025 and 65 800 ballot papers were printed.
The contract to print the ballot papers for all five by-elections was awarded to Solitaire Press, a local company based in Windhoek, at a cost of N$4.4 million for 658 ballot books.
Each ballot book contains 100 ballot paper sheets.
The sample ballot paper was printed on 21 May 2025, verified and certified as correct by an authorised representative of each political party contesting the by-elections, followed by the commission’s approval.
ECN chief electoral and referenda Peter Shaama on Tuesday said the report is testament to the commission’s unwavering dedication to fostering transparency and credible electoral procedures, emphasising its commitment to public accountability.
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