The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on Monday announced its preparedness for the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency by-election set to take place on 15 May 2023.

Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer of the ECN, Theo Mujoro, made the announcement in a media statement that said the ECN conducted the supplementary registration of voters in the constituency from 07 to 10 March 2023 and that the final voters’ register will be made available on 26 April 2023.

“A vacancy occurred in the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency following the expulsion of former Landless People’s Movement (LPM) councillor Gerrit Witbooi. Thus, in terms of Section 10 of the Regional Councils Act, a vacancy should be filled within a period of 90 days,” Mujoro explained.

More than 6 675 eligible voters in the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency are expected to cast their ballots on 15 May.

Candidates who will contest the by-election are Johannes Eiman of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), Elias !Kharuxab of the Swapo Party, Willem Labuschagne for the LPM, Magdalena van Staden of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), and Gerrit Witbooi as an independent candidate.

Mujoro said voter education for the constituency to educate residents on the importance of casting their votes, amongst other electoral matters, will commence on 01 May 2023 and conclude on 14 May 2023.

Sixty polling officials will be recruited to make up 12 teams (six fixed and six mobile).

ECN will deploy election officials a day prior to the election date.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency