Allexer Namundjembo
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has officially opened the nomination period for the Outapi Constituency by-election in Omusati region.
This follows after the post became vacant when former councillor Immanuel Shikongo was appointed governor of the Omusati region.
The nomination period began on 5 August 2025 and will close on 18 August for independent candidates and 20 August for political parties.
The chief electoral officer of the ECN, Peter Shaama, encouraged all political parties and independent candidates to submit their nominations on time.
“The Commission hereby announces the official opening of the nomination period,” he said.
Nominations must be submitted online through the ECN’s political party and candidate management (PPCM) portal, which is accessible via the Integrated Mobile Voter Registration System.
To ensure accessibility, the ECN has set up a help desk at its head office.
Nomination requirements include a professionally taken passport-size colour photo, a consent form, and proof of a N$2,500 deposit into the State Revenue Fund.
Political party nominees must submit a stamped and signed nomination form by an authorised representative, as well as a certified copy of the party’s registration certificate.
Independent candidates must submit a list of at least 150 registered voters who support their nomination, including names, voter registration numbers, residential addresses, and signatures.
The list must be submitted by 18 August at 16h00.
“We call on all prospective candidates to adhere strictly to the nomination guidelines as outlined in the Electoral Act,” Shaama said.
The ECN’s announcement comes amid allegations from the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, which claims the Commission is delaying the by-election to benefit the ruling Swapo Party.
AR leader Job Amupanda took to social media last month, accusing the ECN and Swapo of holding secret meetings to delay the election.
ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka dismissed these allegations, calling them “false and misleading”.
He said the claims were “aimed at creating confusion and public mistrust in the Commission.”
Siluka explained that the vacancy was declared and gazetted on 18 July 2025, in full compliance with the law.
He clarified that by-elections must be held within three months unless the councillor’s term would have ended within that period.
Since Shikongo’s term would have ended in late November 2025, the exception does not apply, and the by-election must proceed.
Siluka also confirmed that the ECN consulted with all political parties on 14 July 2025 at Election House to discuss the election schedule and logistics.
He added that the AR party participated in the meeting and was involved in the discussions.
“We presented several options and committed to assess them further before communicating a final decision. This is due diligence, not a secret strategy to violate the law,” Siluka said.
