Otavi: The sensitive voting materials intended for the seven Otjozondjupa constituencies were securely offloaded and received at the Otavi Police Station warehouse on Wednesday. This critical delivery is part of the preparations for the upcoming elections conducted by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).

According to Namibia Press Agency, the materials included ballot papers for both regional council and local authority elections, as well as ballot boxes and printers. These were transported under the protection of heavily armed members of the Namibian Police Force from Windhoek to ensure their security.

Victoria Amutenya, the ECN Otjozondjupa Regional Electoral Officer, explained during a briefing that the metal ballot boxes in blue are designated for ballot books for the regional councils elections, while the yellow metal ballot boxes are meant for the ECN ballot books for the local authorities' elections. A total of 238 metal ballot boxes for the regional council elections and 101 for the local authorities elections have been received.

The distribution of these sensitive materials to their respective constituencies is scheduled to commence on Thursday, starting with Okahandja and Omatako. The dispatch will continue with Okakarara and Tsumkwe on Friday, followed by Otjiwarongo on Saturday. The materials meant for the Otavi and Grootfontein constituencies will remain stored at the Otavi Police Station warehouse until 23 November 2025, to be dispatched for the special elections on 24 November 2025.

Representatives from the Swapo Party and the Landless People's Movement (LPM) were present during the offloading process and were given the opportunity to verify the seal numbers on the materials. Mendy Willemse, the LPM district treasurer, stated in an interview with Nampa at the warehouse that all sensitive materials were thoroughly verified and confirmed to be in order. Swapo's Otavi district coordinator, Martha Shipanga, also expressed her satisfaction with the secure receipt and handling of the election materials for the region.

The general voting for the Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections is scheduled for 26 November 2025. A special election for ECN officials and police officers who will be on duty during the mass voting day is set for 24 November 2025.