2025 Elections in Namibia
- All You Need to Know

Namibia Votes 2025

On 26 November 2025, Namibians are going to the polls to vote in local and regional elections. Local authority elections are held for municipal, town and village councils. Regional elections determine the regional councils.

There is a Supplementary Voter Registration from 4 - 19 August 2025.

JWBRA for Council

How to Get Involved

2025 Election Calendar

Why Vote?

Who to Vote For

Types of Elections

How do Elections Work?

When Can I Vote?

Where Can I Vote?

What's on the Ballot?

Register to Vote

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:

The person shows their voter card as identification.
Their fingers are checked with a special light - if clean, they're marked with special ink to show that the person has voted already.
The person's details are recorded on a form.
They then go into a booth to vote in secret, by marking their choice on the ballot paper.
The ballot paper has to be folded and put into a sealed ballot box.

So, make sure you have a voters card from 2024, or register to vote (from 4-19 August 2025).

Find your closest polling station (will be published from 5 November 2025) and mark 26 November 2025 in your calendar.

Register to Vote

If you've never registered before or the voters card is expired:

a Namibian identity document;
an old Namibian ID;
a valid green Namibian passport;
a Namibian citizenship certificate together with a birth certificate of any other country and sworn statements by two registered voters;
a Namibian birth certificate and sworn statements by two registered voters;
or a Namibian birth certificate and a valid Namibian license.

If you also want to register for the local authority elections:

proof of residence to show you've lived here for at least the past 12 months, which can be
- municipal, electricity or telecom statements and
- a lease agreement
or a sworn statement made at the registration point

If you need to update your details at the Supplementary Voters Registration, bring along your Voters Card and ID, as well as the proof of residence if necessary.

Special Registration

Supplementary Registration of Voters (SRV) are for anyone who didn't or couldn't register during a General Registration of Voters. You can also apply for a new voters card if you lost yours, or re-register if you moved since last year or changed your details.

Ordinary Registrations

Every 10 years, there is a General Registration of Voters (GRV). This is for all types of elections and all eligible voters, whether they were registered previously or not. The last one was in 2024, so the next GRV will be in 2034.

Before every election and by-election, there is a Supplementary Registration of Voters (SRV) for that type of election specifically. It allows people who turned 18 since the last registration, moved, didn't register yet, or changed their details to get registered.

Lastly, any person who is eligible to vote but not registered can apply with the ECN to be registered at almost any time. But this Continuous Registration of Voters (CRV) is suspended

in all of Namibia from the date a GRV is proclaimed in the Government Gazette until 30 days after the finalised voters register is published,
from the date an election is proclaimed in the Gazette until 60 days after the polls close
- for a general election, in the whole of Namibia
- for a by-election, in that constituency only

The ECN can also suspend the CRV at any time they see fit.

You cannot register to vote in the 2025 Local Authority and Regional Council Elections anymore.

You can only vote if you have registered to do so. There is a general voters registration every ten years, which replaces the previous voters register.

Before every election, a supplementary voters registration is held for people who didn't register before or need to change their details.

Voters Registration FAQ

What's on the Ballot?

In the 2025 elections, local and regional councils will be chosen. There will be separate booths and ballots, 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 the 2025 local and regional elections, you can only vote where you live.

Your voters card will indicate your constituency and local authority area. You need to find your closest polling station (list will be published on 5 November 2025).

NB! If your voters card says "Urban" you have to go vote at an urban polling station, and vice versa.

Local Authority Elections

Vote for your city / town / village council
Yellow ballot paper
Use our map to find your nearest polling station.

Even for the LA Elections, you need to go to a polling station that matches your registered constituency.

Download our map!

Regional Council Elections

Vote for your regional constituency representative
Blue ballot paper
Check for "Urban" or "Rural" polling stations!

2025 Walvis Bay Polling Stations-Rural

2025 Walvis Bay Urban Polling Stations

2025 Walvis Bay Polling Stations-Rural

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Need Directions to Walvis Bay Polling Stations?

Use the interactive Google Map to get directions on your phone!

Google Map

Look at the ECN's list of polling stations by region below.

ECN Station List

1024px-Wahlkreise_in_Namibia_(2014).svg.png

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?

No, not in the 2025 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.

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. The only way to vote in the 2025 local and regional elections is by going to a polling station in the local authority and constituency where you are registered.

When Can I Vote?

Polling day for the local and regional elections is Wednesday, 26 November 2025. Check out our detailed calendar.

If you are a police officer or election official, you will vote on Monday, 24 November - because you'll be busy on the actual Election Day.

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.

A diagram depicting the three levels of Namibian government.

Namibia's three levels of government.

Types of Elections

JWBRA and the Elections

In a Presidential Election, citizens vote to elect their President through direct, universal right to vote. A candidate needs an absolute majority (over 50%) to win. If no candidate achieves this in the first, a second round occurs between the top two candidates.

The elected President becomes the Head of State, Government, and Commander-in-Chief, appointing a Cabinet to run the Government. Presidential Elections occur every five years, and each President can serve a maximum of two terms. They are typically held alongside National Assembly Elections.

Every five years, normally together with the Local Authority Elections, people can elect a candidate from their constituency to represent them on the Regional Council. The candidate with the most votes wins the seat, even if they have less than 50% of the votes.

The Regional Council manages a region's development. Three members of each Regional Council serve on the National Council. The National Council is the Upper House of Parliament and reviews the laws drafted by the National Assembly.

These elections determine who leads a city, town or village. Unlike the other three types, registered associations and organisations can take part in a local election (only political parties can take part in the others).

The seats of the local council are filled by proportionality - so if an organisation gets 60% of the votes, they get 60% of the council seats. The local council is responsible for service delivery, land management and development of the local authority.

There four types of elections in Namibia, for the three levels of government:

Presidential
National Assembly
Regional Council
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.

2025 Election Calendar

Supplementary Voters Registration:

4 - 19 August 2025

Important if you are NOT registered for the Local Authority or need to update your details.

Election Date:

26 November 2025

You can only vote in your own constituency and local authority.

How to Get Involved

VOTE

Learn & Share

Join the JWBRA

Donate to the Campaign

Volunteer

Participate in outreach

Help with events

Intern with the marketing team

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Find out more

JWBRA for Council

The Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association gives a voice to the people who live here.

Right now, there are tons of problems everywhere you look. 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’ll push for performance management in the municipality, a system to track and solve complaints and a budget that’s actually useful.

When you vote JWBRA, you put people in Council who don’t care about politics but care about fixing Walvis Bay. People you can hold accountable, because you know them. A town run by residents is a town that’s empowered. This year, make your voice heard. This year, vote for JWBRA.

2025 Elections in Namibia
- All You Need to Know

Namibia Votes 2025