Elections in Namibia
- All You Need to Know
updated 11 December 2025
Every five years, Namibians go to the polls to determine their local authority and regional councils.
The last such election was held on 26 November 2025, which means the next one will only be in 2030.
This page should answer all your questions about Local Authority Elections in Namibia.
How to Vote
Every Namibian citizen has the right to vote in Namibian elections if they're 18 years or older. You have to register to vote in an election - everybody can vote everywhere in national elections.
For the regional elections, you have to vote in your constituency, and for local authority elections, you can only vote in your local authority (town or village).
While there are many parts to a successful election, the actual voting process is very straightforward:
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The person shows their voter card as identification.
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Their fingers are checked with a special light - if clean, they're marked with special ink to show that the person has voted already.
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Polling officials demonstrate how to handle the ballot paper/s.
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They then go into a booth to vote in secret, by marking their choice on the ballot paper.
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The ballot paper has to be folded and put into a sealed ballot box.
Elections are the single easiest way for ordinary citizens to influence government. Make sure you're always ready for the next election!
What's on the Ballot?
In the 2025 elections, local and regional councils were chosen. Separate ballots are issued for these combined elections, one for local and one for regional.
The ballot for the local authority will have the names and/or logos of the parties contesting in that city, town or village, like the 2020 samples shown here. These can be political parties or registered organisations / associations.
The ballot for the regional council will have the names and/or pictures of party representatives, as well as their party names. That means you are voting for an organisation in the local, and a person in the regional elections.
To mark the ballot, you draw a neat cross (X) in the space next to your choice using a pencil provided by the polling station. This is done for practical reasons: pencils can't run out of ink and can be sharpened throughout the day. They're also dry, so they can't smudge when you fold the ballot paper.
If you're worried about someone tampering with your ballot, make sure to draw your cross with enough pressure - it shouldn't dent the paper though.
Where Can I Vote?
In local and regional elections, you can only vote where you live. In the presidential elections, you can vote anywhere in Namibia and even at designated points abroad.
For the local and regional elections, your voters card will indicate your constituency and local authority area.
Local Authority Elections
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Vote for your city / town / village council
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Usually a yellow ballot paper
Even for the LA Elections, you need to go to a polling station that matches your registered constituency.
Regional Council Elections
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Vote for your regional constituency representative
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Usually a blue ballot paper
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Differentiate "Urban" and "Rural" polling stations!
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A map of Namibia's 121 Constituencies.
By "Karte: NordNordWest", License: Creative Commons by-sa-3.0 de, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
Can I Vote if I'm Traveling?
Local & Regional Elections
No, not in any local and regional elections. You can only vote in the local authority (town) and constituency you're registered for. Check your voters card!
You cannot vote if you're in a different country. You cannot vote if you're in a different city, town or village. For example, if you're registered for Walvis Bay, you have to vote in Walvis Bay.
National Elections
Yes, you can vote anywhere in Namibia. Outside of Namibia, you'd have to go to one of the designated points, like an embassy.
Will There Be Mobile Polling Stations?
Yes, but you can only use them if you live where they are. For example, a mobile polling station at a hospital is only there for the people in that hospital.
Can We Not Vote Online or by Mail?
Currently not, you have to vote in person. As of the time writing this, the only way to vote is by going to a polling station in the local authority and constituency where you are registered.
When Can I Vote?
For each election, the Polling Day is gazetted and announced well in advance. It's often made a public holiday and even if you have to work, your employer must allow you to go vote. Police officers, polling staff and other special cases normally vote a few days before everyone else.
Polls are normally open from 7:00 - 21:00 on the day. If there's still people in the queue at closing time, they will also be allowed to vote.
How do the Elections Work?
In Namibia, people have a constitutional right to govern themselves. That means the people hold the power, and government must do what the people want.
To keep this organised, there are regular elections where Namibians can vote for the leaders they want in charge. These elections are free and fair - any Namibian citizen over the age of 18 can vote if they're registered. Nobody is allowed to force anyone to vote a certain way, or treat them differently because of their vote.
Namibia's three levels of government.
© 2024 Image provided by One Tree Montessori. All rights reserved.
Types of Elections
There four types of elections in Namibia, for the three levels of government:
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Presidential
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National Assembly
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Regional Council
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Local Authority
Who to Vote For
Deciding who to vote for can be tricky. Here are five tips you can use:
Check Their Track Record
It's an old saying but it's true: "Actions speak louder than words." See what the party has done in the past. Have they kept their promises? Are they involved in the community? Ask the candidate for their accomplishments. Check newspaper articles and talk to others.
Judge Their Priorities
Do they align with what you care about? Do you agree with the organisation's values and plans for the future? Read their manifesto and campaign promises, then choose someone whose vision matches your needs.
Evaluate Their Character
Is the candidate, and the party as a whole, trustworthy and reliable? Pay attention to how they speak, treat others and respond to tough questions. You don't want anyone in charge that's quick to anger and attack.
Ask Who They Represent
Does the candidate or party only make themselves heard for the election? What kind of people are their members? Are they actively working to include every citizen, or are they only pushing narrow agendas?
Dig Deeper
Ignore the campaign promises, free handouts and flashy rallies. Real substance shows itself in the little things. Ask yourself: Is the candidate informed, prepared and ready to serve?
Popularity and tradition don't always equal skilled.
Why Vote?
The voting process in Namibia often discourages people from voting. First, you have to register - this can take multiple hours because the queues are long.
On the actual Election Day, waiting times can also be excessive. While our elections are free and peaceful, past outcomes were often predictable. People say they feel as if their vote doesn't matter.
But Namibia is a democracy, and the power rests in the people. Government is just a tool to keep things organised. Voting is the easiest, quickest way to have your say in how our country is run.
Still not convinced? Here are 5 reasons why you should vote.
5 Reasons to Vote
1 - Your voice does matter.
Sure, one single vote won't make a difference in a sea of millions. But you're not just "one single vote". You will bring friends, family and co-workers. You might inspire the next generation to participate. Your vote has a ripple effect, and you can't pretend it won't affect the lives of those around you.
2 - Nothing happens unless you take action.
If you're unhappy with the people in charge, your vote is a very straightforward way to say so. If you are happy, then your vote is your show of support. When you don't vote, you hide from your responsibility to shape your life. When you don't vote, you can't complain that things don't change.
3 - You can learn something.
When you prepare to vote, you find out about the parties and candidates that put themselves forward. You discover how government actually works and you might realise that you agree, or don't, with their plans. Learning is never a bad thing, especially when it's about the laws and systems that rule your country.
4 - You're thinking about it wrong.
If your attitude is "What's the point?" or "It's not worth it", challenge yourself to flip that view on its head. Ask yourself, "What's the harm?" instead. What terrible things could possibly happen because you spend 1-2 days in a queue? The only thing you can do by voting is make a difference. No matter how small.
5 - It's not that bad.
Elections are held every five years. You have to register once every ten years. So, it's one or two days out of your year that you might be a little bored or uncomfortable. Toughen up, buttercup.
Make it a day out with your friends or family. Bring a book, board games and comfortable chairs. Finish that podcast you've been telling everyone about. Chat to your queue-neighbours and make some new friends. Or take your headphones and enjoy a day where nobody bothers you.
Like we said, when you decide to vote, only good things can come of it.
How to Get Involved
VOTE
Learn & Share
Volunteer
Participate in outreach
Help with events
Intern with the marketing team
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JWBRA for Council
The Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association gives a voice to the people who live here.
We want Walvis Bay to be the best town in Namibia! The systems, the plans - everything’s there. We just need to make sure it’s actually done. That’s why we need to hold our public servants accountable!
We push for performance management in the municipality, a system to track and solve complaints and a budget that’s actually useful.