Windhoek: Special voting in the Khomas Region began smoothly on Monday, despite reports of low voter turnout across several constituencies since the polls opened at 09h00 ahead of the Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections scheduled for Wednesday. This special vote is reserved for police officers and polling officials who will be stationed outside their constituencies on election day.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Hendriene Alfried, the presiding officer at the Suiderhof Primary School polling station in the Windhoek East constituency, reported that turnout had been slow, with only two police officers having cast their ballots by midday. She noted that there had been no complications.

In the Katutura Central constituency, at least 28 people had voted from 09h00 until the afternoon. Saima Shivute, the presiding officer at the Theo Katjimune Primary School polling station in Katutura Central, stated that while the special voting process had gone smoothly, they did encounter issues involving three individuals who attempted to vote while wearing political party attire. "We started well without any issues so far. However, three people came wanting to cast their votes in political party clothing, but the police escorted them out," she explained.

Shivute also emphasised that no results from today's special voting for the local and regional authority elections will be counted or released, noting that all ballots cast today will remain sealed until voting concludes on the main election day, 26 November.

In the Samora Machel constituency, Joseph Mvula, the presiding officer at the Martti Ahtisaari polling station, confirmed that at least 21 people had voted by the afternoon. The voting process began at 09h00 and will continue until 19h00.

Khomas comprises 10 constituencies - Samora Machel, Katutura Central, Katutura East, Khomasdal, John Pandeni, Moses //Goraeb, Tobias Hainyeko, Windhoek West, Windhoek East, and Windhoek Rural.