Otjiwarongo: The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on Thursday announced the names of candidates to contest the upcoming by-elections of the Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein constituencies on 17 June this year.
According to Namibia Press Agency, ECN Returning Officer for Otjiwarongo, Melody Muesee, stated that a total of four candidates were registered by ECN as the successful applicants to contest the by-elections for Otjiwarongo. The candidates are Wilbardt Haihambo of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Paulus Nekundi of Swapo, Gabriel Manase for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters, and Ernst Muraranganda of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM).
ECN Returning Officer for the Grootfontein Constituency, Lukas Nyumbu, in a telephone interview with Nampa on Thursday, also said four political parties and their candidates will contest the by-elections there. He mentioned the parties are Swapo with the former constituency councillor, Nelao Amagulu, IPC with Max Onesmus, the United Democratic Front (UDF)’s Morits Gaingob, and PDM with Rosina Nusis.
ECN did not receive any application from an independent candidate in both Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein, said the ECN Otjozondjupa Regional Electoral Officer, Victory Amutenya. The by-elections were necessitated by the departure of Elder Filipe from Grootfontein and Marlayn Mbakera of Otjiwarongo upon joining parliament on 21 March 2025.