Windhoek Observer

Allexer Namundjembo Youth participation in the regional and local authority elections remained low, with many young voters not visible in the queues at the polls on Wednesday.  This is despite more than 643 000 youth registered to vote, making up about 42% of the 1.49 million voters on the final voters register released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). The regional and local authority elections took place on 26 November 2025.  Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Youth leader Duminga Ndala says the low youth turnout in yesterday’s Regional and Local Authority elections signals a serious disconnect between young people and…

Renthia Kaimbi Residents of Okahandja are putting aside political loyalties to form a coalition aimed at holding the incoming local authority council accountable for its promises. The initiative, driven by frustration over poor service delivery, seeks to create an independent community oversight committee to ensure transparency and progress in the town’s development. The idea gained momentum after resident Shatty Haihambo publicly called for unity and accountability, saying political celebrations mean little without visible improvements. “Political chants will not develop the town. It is for this reason that I want to appeal to all residents of Okahandja, let us come together,…

Allexer Namundjembo The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says political parties that held press conferences after the official campaign cut-off violated the electoral cooling-off rules. ECN commissioner Pius Iikwambi said the commission, through its chief executive officer, issued an operational directive on 20 November to all electoral stakeholders, including regional electoral officers, returning officers, and the police.  The directive outlined the legal framework for stopping campaigning and explained the statutory cooling-off period for regional and local authority elections. Iikwambi said the code of conduct, published in September 2024, binds all political parties, organisations, candidates, members and supporters.  The directive defined…

Renthia Kaimbi Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe says the assault on Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi amounts to criminal self-help and has no place in a constitutional democracy. Tjombe was reacting to an incident in Keetmanshoop on Monday in which independent candidate Vernon Coleman confronted and assaulted Swartbooi. Tjombe said the act shows Coleman is unfit for public office. “Criminal self-help is impermissible in a constitutional democracy and blatantly unacceptable as a means to drive home your political message. He must have a serious and honest self-introspection if he is fit for public office as an important councillor,…

Allexer Namundjembo Former Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Walvis Bay Rural councillor Deriou Benson says he did not receive money to leave IPC, insisting his departure was driven by frustration and lack of support. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday, Benson said his resignation was “a sober choice” and dismissed claims that Swapo paid him to leave the IPC. “I was 100% not paid. That I can swear on the Lord’s name. It was a sober choice,” Benson said. He explained that over time, his disengagement from IPC activities grew because his local government duties often clashed…