Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
The Namibian
Elsie Nghikembuahas served asECN commissioner since October 2016 and chairperson since September 2021
Source
“Nghikembua, who has served as an ECN commissioner since October 2016 and as chairperson since September 2021, is due to complete her term as chairperson this year.”
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembuasaidpost-election period offers opportunity to assess challenges and propose reforms
Source
“Speaking at a stakeholder engagement at Election House in Windhoek, ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua said the post-election period following the 2025 Regional Council and Local Authority Council elections offers an opportunity to assess challenges and propose reforms.”
ECN Chairperson Elsie Nghikembuasaidthe Namibian people's right to free and fair elections is the ECN's paramount responsibility
Source
“The Namibian people's right to free and fair elections is the paramount responsibility of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), whose ultimate goal is to serve the citizens by upholding the values enshrined in Chapter 10B and Article 94B of the Namibian Constitution, said ECN Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua on the occasion of an electoral stakeholders engagement meeting in Windhoek on Wednesday.”
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembuaexpressed gratitude toresidents, political parties and candidates for peaceful voting
Source
“ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua on Tuesday expressed gratitude to all residents, political parties and candidates for the peaceful manner in which voting was conducted.”
ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembuasaidthe commission has observed worrying acts of violence and hate speech during political campaigns
Source
“ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua yesterday in Windhoek said the commission has observed worrying acts of violence and hate speech during political campaigns in some parts of the country.”
ECN chairperson Elsie NghikembuaannouncedAngula's disqualification from registered presidential candidates list
Source
“ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua on Wednesday announced Angula's disqualification from a list of registered presidential candidates, citing that she and two other independent candidates had not ticked all boxes for the upcoming elections.”
Swapo has endorsed Gerson Sindano, an ECN commissioner since August 2022, as its preferred candidate for chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, to replace Elsie Nghikembua whose term ends this year. Sindano is a senior lecturer in language development at the University of Namibia with a doctorate in English studies.
Why it matters
Swapo's endorsement of Gerson Sindano for ECN chairperson signals political positioning ahead of electoral commission leadership transition this year.
Swapo has endorsed Gerson Sindano, an ECN commissioner since August 2022, as its preferred candidate for chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, to replace Elsie Nghikembua whose term ends this year. Sindano is a senior lecturer in language development at the University of Namibia with a doctorate in English studies.
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.
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.
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.
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.