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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Electoral Commission of Namibia

Also known as: ECN

Electoral Commission of Namibia — independent body responsible for managing national, regional, and local elections, currently reviewing electoral legislation ahead of 2029–2030 polls.

2022-11-112026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. November 2025

  2. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia got away with unprecedented incompetence that led to nationwide chaos of last year's general elections

    Source

    “How administrators got away with the unprecedented incompetence that led to the nationwide chaos of last year's general elections is unfathomable.”

    Take the ECN to Task

  3. The Namibian

    ECN bungled by-elections

    Source

    “Even when the ECN bungled by-elections, the opposition parties that had squealed long and hard about the chaos failed to table a parliamentary motion to take election commissioners and their bureaucrats to task.”

    Take the ECN to Task
  4. August 2025

  5. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia does not hold views expressed by Gerson Tjihenuna in article

    Source

    “However, the views expressed here are his own and not those of the Electoral Commission of Namibia.”

    The Unfulfilled Vision of Namibia’s Public Service Charter
  6. June 2025

  7. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia is under increasing pressure from the rise in political parties

    Source

    “The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is also under increasing pressure.”

    Too Many Parties, Too Little Purpose
  8. February 2025

  9. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is being taken to court by opposition political parties

    Source

    “Especially considering that the opposition political parties, the Independent Patriots for Change and the Landless People's Movement, are taking the ECN to court.”

    Courts Should Not Be Political Battleground
  10. January 2025

  11. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia had a vehicle involved in an accident 36 km outside Tsumeb on Saturday

    Source

    “An Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) vehicle was involved in an accident 36 kilometres outside Tsumeb on Saturday.”

    ECN vehicle in accident

  12. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia said the accident occurred while a deployed team tried to avoid hitting cattle

    Source

    “"One of the teams deployed for the Guinas constituency by-election was involved in a car accident approximately 36km from Tsumeb while trying to avoid hitting cattle," the commission said.”

    ECN vehicle in accident

  13. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia released the election results

    Source

    “According to the election results released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia, Swapo's Khumub garnered 1 407 votes, while LPM's candidate received 612.”

    Swapo wins Guinas by-election

  14. The Namibian

    the commissioners told those calling for resignations to follow the Electoral Act to remove them

    Source

    “Following last year's elections, the commissioners told those calling for their resignations to follow the Electoral Act to remove them.”

    NEFF wants Mbumba to remove ECN commissioners

  15. The Namibian

    Electoral Commission of Namibia says preparations are on track for Guinas constituency by-election

    Source

    “The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says preparations for the upcoming Guinas constituency by-election in the Oshikoto region are on track.”

    ECN confirms readiness for Guinas constituency by-election on 17 January
Politics

Electoral Commission submits 2025 election assessment to Parliament

The News

The Electoral Commission of Namibia has presented its Performance Assessment and Post-Election Report for the 2025 Regional Council and Local Authority Council elections to the National Assembly. The report assesses the conduct and overall performance of the elections and includes recommendations for legislative reform to strengthen electoral integrity.

Why it matters

Electoral Commission's post-election assessment and reform recommendations provide critical accountability on recent regional and local council elections.

14 hours ago · Informanté →

Yesterday

  1. Electoral Commission submits 2025 election assessment to Parliament

    The Electoral Commission of Namibia has presented its Performance Assessment and Post-Election Report for the 2025 Regional Council and Local Authority Council elections to the National Assembly. The report assesses the conduct and overall performance of the elections and includes recommendations for legislative reform to strengthen electoral integrity.

    14 hours ago · Informanté →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Namibia marks second Genocide Remembrance Day with calls for justice

    Namibia observed its second Genocide Remembrance Day to reflect on the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero, Nama, Damara, and ≠Nkhoen San peoples. The commemoration emphasises the need for truth-telling, restorative justice, and Germany's full acknowledgment of responsibility for the genocide.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. ECN commissioner candidates advocate legislative and logistical electoral reforms

    Four candidates for Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioner positions have called for sweeping legislative reforms and logistical improvements to boost public trust, including extended voting hours, more polling stations, and amendments to the Electoral Act.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Former PDM MP Hamata denies plans to join Swapo

    Hidipo Hamata, who recently quit the Popular Democratic Movement, has clarified he is not joining the ruling Swapo party and may take time to reflect and pursue other work instead.

    19 May 2026 · New Era →

Monday 18 May

  1. ECN commissioners to declare assets under proposed amendments

    Proposed amendments to the Electoral Commission of Namibia Act will compel commissioners to declare their assets within 60 days of the act coming into force and thereafter annually, a move political parties say could strengthen public trust and transparency. Commissioners must submit declarations to the speaker of the National Assembly, with failure to comply constituting grounds for misconduct.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. ECN reviews Electoral Act ahead of 2029 elections

    The Electoral Commission of Namibia has resumed review of the Electoral Amendment Bill to strengthen the electoral framework ahead of the 2029 presidential and National Assembly elections and 2030 regional and local authority polls. The ECN's proposals cover voter registration, election management, political party regulation, and the powers of the Electoral Court, including measures to strengthen the ECN's independence from government.

    18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 16 May

  1. |Khomanin community moves to remove queen and council

    Members of the |Khomanin Landless Association are preparing to push for the removal of Gaos Juliane Gawa-!Nas and her traditional council, citing allegations of unlawful land sales, lack of accountability, and financial mismanagement over the past 15 years. The |Khomanin Traditional Authority has rejected the planned change and threatened legal action, describing the allegations as a smear campaign.

    16 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 15 May

  1. ECN launches post-election review, invites public input on Electoral Act

    The Electoral Commission of Namibia has begun a nationwide stakeholder consultation process to review the Electoral Act ahead of the 2029 and 2030 elections, incorporating lessons from the 2024 and 2025 electoral cycles. The ECN is reviving an Electoral Amendment Bill drafted after previous stakeholder engagements to undertake legislative reforms outlined in the Electoral Act of 2014.

    15 May 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 23 April

  1. Swapo delays naming replacement for deceased MP James Uerikua

    Swapo has not yet nominated a successor to National Assembly member James Uerikua, who died in a car accident over Easter, despite party rules indicating former minister Peya Mushelenga is next in line. The party has given no detailed explanation for the delay and says it will submit a name to the National Assembly soon.

    23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 April

  1. LPM internal divisions deepen amid leadership and suspension disputes

    The Landless People's Movement faces growing internal tensions, with former councillor Joseph Isaacks accusing leader Bernadus Swartbooi of running the party dictatorially and the party suspending former mayor McDonald Hanse over alleged involvement in forming a new political party. The LPM's spokesperson denies disunity claims and says the party operates within constitutional rules, while Hanse contests his suspension and disputes the allegations against him.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. Government launches Vision April 2026 healthcare reform initiative

    Namibia's government has begun phased implementation of Vision April 2026, an initiative to transform public healthcare by improving accessibility, quality and citizen confidence. The programme, which mandates senior government officials to use public facilities starting April 2024, includes infrastructure upgrades, N$239 million in medical equipment procurement and recruitment of 2,307 health workers, with expansion to additional facilities planned for 2027.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 30 March

  1. Minister nullifies swearing-in of three Gobabis councillors

    Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa nullified the swearing in of three Right To Shelter Foundation councillors at Gobabis municipality, saying the process was unprocedural and breached the Electoral Act. The minister said candidate lists cannot be changed after an election, and the deputy mayor position will remain vacant until the matter is resolved through judicial review.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Parliamentarians question ECN's N$1.6 million legal fees allocation

    Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mwashindange criticised the Electoral Commission of Namibia's allocation of N$1.6 million for legal fees as wasteful, arguing the commission should prioritise improving voter turnout and drafting an electoral amendment bill instead. Other MPs also questioned whether the ECN's overall N$181 million budget for 2026/27 is adequate for national coverage.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Asoli association formally becomes political party

    Josef Kauandenge has announced that the Association of Localised Interests (Asoli) has become the Asoli Progressive Party and will submit registration documents to the Electoral Commission of Namibia for the 2029 elections. The party, formed following Kauandenge's departure from Nudo, aims to address social and economic issues that Kauandenge says other political parties have neglected.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Analysis: US decapitation strategy against Iran faces mounting challenges

    An Electoral Commission commissioner argues that US and Israeli military strategy targeting Iran's leadership has backfired due to Iran's decentralized command structure and the religious significance of slain leaders as martyrs. He suggests Iran is pursuing a war of attrition, leveraging low-cost drone technology to impose unsustainable defense costs on its adversaries.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Academic article examines film as Indigenous language preservation

    Professor William Heuva published an analysis of the 2022 film "Tjipangandjara" in the Journal of African Cinemas, arguing that digital technology can promote Ovaherero cultural heritage and African Indigenous languages, and that the film demonstrates how creative works can resist commodification and neo-liberal economic pressures while preserving cultural identity.

    17 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 March

  1. NEFF sues ECN for damages over 2024 election deregistration

    The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters is seeking N$6.7 million in damages from the Electoral Commission of Namibia over its deregistration ahead of the 2024 elections, claiming the unlawful move damaged its public reputation and cost it parliamentary seats. The party was deregistered for allegedly failing to publish financial reports but successfully challenged the decision in the High Court, though the legal victory came too late to allow effective campaigning.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Opinion: Trump's military strikes on Iran unlikely to achieve stability

    A New Era opinion piece argues that while the Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran in February 2026 citing nuclear proliferation and regional instability concerns, killing leadership may not secure the endgame needed for stability—given Iran's deep historical pride, religious identity, ethnic diversity, and powerful Revolutionary Guard unlikely to surrender to American pressure.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia needs structural economic change to address inequality

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's persistent wealth gap and poverty, rooted in colonial and apartheid history, cannot be solved by incremental reforms alone. The author calls for fundamental economic transformation—a mixed model blending capitalist and socialist principles with stronger state intervention—to ensure inclusive growth and equitable resource management, particularly as oil and gas development proceeds.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

  3. US-Israel strike on Iran faces uncertain aftermath, analysis suggests

    An opinion piece questions whether the Trump administration has a viable long-term strategy following a joint US-Israel military operation against Iran in February 2026 that killed Iran's supreme leader. The columnist argues that Iran's religious identity, ethnic diversity, and proud historical legacy make regime change and regional stability unlikely outcomes of military intervention.

    3 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 March

  1. 2026/27 budget allocations announced across major ministries

    Namibia's government has allocated key budgets for the 2026/27 financial year, with education receiving N$28.7 billion, health N$13.1 billion, and safety and security N$8.1 billion, while smaller allocations include N$181 million for the Electoral Commission and N$109 million for the Anti-Corruption Commission.

    1 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Political parties to receive N$1.6 billion state funding over decade

    According to IPPR research, Namibian political parties are projected to receive N$1.6 billion in state funding between 2020 and 2030, an amount the institute describes as disproportionate given the country's unemployment and poverty. The IPPR's report on political finance transparency calls for greater disclosure requirements and stronger regulations to prevent external interference in elections before the next polls.

    25 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Gobabis deputy mayor expelled by party foundation

    The Right to Shelter Foundation of Namibia has expelled deputy mayor Dina Fillemon from the party with effect from 5 February, citing an erroneous entry of her name in the Electoral Commission system during her swearing-in. By operation of law, Fillemon automatically lost her council seat and deputy mayor position upon her expulsion from the foundation that held her mandate.

    24 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 21 February

  1. Gobabis deputy mayor expelled from Right to Shelter Foundation

    The Right to Shelter Foundation of Namibia expelled local councillor and deputy mayor Dina Fillemon on 5 February, citing a controversial swearing-in from the previous year. Because her council seat was tied to her foundation membership, she automatically lost her positions as councillor and deputy mayor, though the foundation says she continued attending council meetings after expulsion.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 February

  1. ECN spent N$16.33 million on five 2025 by-elections

    The Electoral Commission of Namibia spent N$16.33 million on five by-elections held on 17 June 2025 in Otjozondjupa, Kunene and Zambezi regions, following the resignation of five councillors elected to the National Assembly in November 2024. The by-elections were held in Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo, Kamanjab, Sesfontein and Kabbe South constituencies, with ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua praising the peaceful conduct of the voting.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 29 January

  1. Mariental residents petition town over municipal spending

    The Mariental Residents Association handed a petition to the town mayor objecting to a planned N$80 million municipal office construction, citing concerns over the relocation of residents from Extensions 2 and 3 to Extension 5 (described as a former dumpsite), lack of compensation for flood damage, alleged municipal negligence, and non-implementation of council transparency requirements.

    29 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 11 January

  1. ECN explains election officials' payment rates and schedule

    The Electoral Commission of Namibia has clarified the payments for 18,000 election officials deployed during last year's regional and local elections, noting that employment contracts specified fixed rates for actual duties performed. The ECN stated that payments were processed from early December through late December 2025, with rates of N$250 for training and N$563–N$824 daily depending on role and election day.

    11 January 2026 · Informanté →

Electoral Commission of Namibia — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute