Allexer Namundjembo
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says it will not cover travel expenses for political parties and stakeholders who wish to observe the printing of ballot papers.
The observation is for the ballots of the 2025 regional and local elections, set for next month.
All registered political parties, organisations, and associations are invited to observe the ballot paper production at their own expense.
ECN said this decision was first communicated during the political parties liaison committee meeting on 3 September 2025 and reaffirmed during another PLC meeting on 14 October 2025.
ECN chief electoral officer Peter Shaama said the commission would not fund travel, accommodation, or meals for observers at the 2025 RCLA elections, citing financial constraints and budgetary pressures.
He added that stakeholders are expected to make their own arrangements to take part in the process.
Shaama said accommodating observers would be financially impractical, as about 53 registered political parties and associations, along with over 60 independent candidates, are eligible to observe the process.
“The costs incurred in previous elections were already significant, and the scale of participation this year would make funding impractical and fiscally irresponsible,” he said.
The commission said unforeseen budget pressures had raised costs sharply.
Six by-elections held this year cost around N$30 million, while the number of election teams increased from 2 521 in 2024 to 2 894 this year.
ECN said the proclamation of Onandjaba and Uis Local Authorities in July also required appointing two extra returning officers mid-budget, which was not initially planned for.
“While we are not funding travel, electoral integrity and transparency remain our top priorities. Continuous updates will be provided on production progress, serial numbers of ballot papers will be shared, and all parties will have the opportunity to affix security seals before dispatch to regional warehouses,” Shaama said on Wednesday.
“The commission remains committed to upholding the highest standards of electoral integrity, ensuring that the process is transparent, secure, and in line with international best practice,” he said.
At a press conference held at Parliament on Wednesday, opposition political parties expressed dissatisfaction with the ECN’s decision.
PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said the ECN does not value political parties, which are key to democracy.
“They do not see us. They take decisions for themselves. Remember the company that printed ballots last year? We complained; the company had neither good integrity nor a good record. They are refusing to let us go along. Why don’t they want to take us? Why do they want us to fork out money from political parties?” Ngaringombe asked.
He said it is a rule in the political system that parties must sign off ballot papers before they are printed to confirm names and faces are correct.
“If not, you’ll have the wrong person. Now they want to go alone and don’t want to assist political parties; how are they going to do it?” he asked.
