Windhoek: The Swapo Party emerged with a preliminary lead in the Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections, as announced Thursday night. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) confirmed Swapo's victory in 56 constituencies before midnight.

According to Namibia Press Agency, ECN Chairperson Elsie Nghikembua declared that the counting and verification process had been completed in most constituencies. However, final counts and verification were still underway in regions like Kavango East and Omusati.

The ECN's latest figures show that Swapo maintained early leads in numerous constituencies, including Okaku, Okatana, Okatyali, and Uukwiyu in the Oshana Region. Swapo led in 12 out of the total 14 regions in the regional council elections, reinforcing its stronghold.

In the Erongo Region, Swapo retained control over Arandis, Karibib, and Omaruru constituencies, and regained Walvis Bay Rural and Swakopmund from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC).

Opposition parties and independent candidates also made significant progress in certain areas. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) improved its 2020 performance by capturing Okakarara from the National Unity Democratic Movement (Nudp) with candidate Kapika Tjazerua. Meanwhile, Nudo held onto the Otjinene Constituency, while Swapo led in Epukiro, Gobabis, and Kalahari.

In the Kavango East Region, independent candidate Mbangu Nginga Paulus led in the Rundu Rural Constituency with 3,057 votes. Swapo's Laurentius Mukoya secured Ndiyona with 1,616 votes. In the Zambezi Region, a competitive race unfolded in Linyanti, where Swapo's Progress Mabate edged ahead with 1,499 votes against independent candidate Ivene Kabunga's 1,438.

Nationally, Swapo led the aggregate regional council vote count with 29,280 votes, trailed by IPC with 5,693, and independent candidate Mbangu Nginga Paulus with 3,057 votes. The ECN stated that additional results will be announced as the verification process continues.