Mariental: Special voting in the Hardap Region began slowly on Monday, with low turnout reported across Mariental Urban, Aranos, and Gideon constituencies ahead of the regional councils and local authorities elections on Wednesday. The special vote is limited to police officers and polling officials who will be stationed outside their constituencies on election day.

According to Namibia Press Agency, in Mariental Urban, returning officer Ricardo Khulman said only a handful of eligible officials arrived to cast their ballots at the Persiana Hall polling station, with only five voters recorded. He added that preparations for Wednesday's election are in place, including the delivery of voting materials and transport arrangements.

In Aranos Constituency, returning officer Hans Ludeke reported that turnout has also been slow. "We had two officers who came to vote this morning," he said. Ludeke mentioned that they expect fewer than twenty officials to vote during the special voting process, but hopes more will arrive before the close of the day.

In Gideon Constituency, returning officer Charles Beukes noted that the turnout was equally low, commenting that: "We experienced a minor administrative setback that did not involve any sensitive election materials. That was sorted, and we have three officials so far, who have cast their votes," he said.

Ballots cast during the special voting will be sealed and counted together with ordinary votes once polling closes. Hardap has eight constituencies, including Mariental Urban, Aranos, and Gideon, all of which will open their polling stations for the public vote on 26 November.