Political parties contesting the upcoming Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency by-election have expressed dissatisfaction after the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) issued a media statement announcing the issuance of duplicate voter cards for residents on the eve of the elections.

In a media statement, ECN announced that the issuance of duplicate voter cards to registered voters is in accordance with Section 35 of Electoral Act No. 5 of 2014.

More than 6,675 eligible voters in the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency are expected to cast their ballots on May 15.

The by-election was necessitated by the expulsion of former LPM Councillor Gerrit Witbooi.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) says the supplementary registration was completed this month.

Candidates who will contest the by-election are Johannes Eiman of the PDM, Elias !Kharuxab of the Swapo Party, Willem Labuschagne for the LPM, Magdalena van Staden of the IPC, and Gerrit Wibooi, an independent candidate.

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (nbc) has allocated free broadcasting airtime to political parties participating in the Keetmashoop Rural Constituency by-election slated for May 15.

This was revealed by the nbc’s Special Projects Manager during a consultation meeting with the political parties in Windhoek today (Thursday).

Kalilo Kalilo revealed that the broadcaster allocated 45 minutes of airtime that will be equally shared among the five political parties participating in the by-elections.

The Swapo Party in the ||Kharas Region has rubbished speculations that some of its leadership backs independent candidate Gerrit Witbooi rather than the party's candidate Elias !Kharuxab in the upcoming by-election.

The by-election in the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency, which is necessitated by the recent withdrawal of Witbooi by the Landless People's Movement (LPM) as Regional Councillor, is slated for May 15.

Swapo Party Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the residents of Okaku to deliver a landslide victory in this Friday's by-election.

Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks at the party's rally at Oneshoko village in the Oshana Region. 

Scores of people from across the four northern regions and beyond donned in blue, red, and green converged at the village for the party's final rally and to show support for the party's candidate, David Fillipus. 

The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) canvassed for votes in the Okaku Constituency ahead of next Friday's by-election.
 
The party's rally was attended by MPs, party leaders, and individuals at different levels.

Taking to the podium, Immanuel Ngaringombe, the party's Secretary General implored voters to deliver victory, saying that once voted into power, the party will bring much-needed development to the constituency.

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has concluded its campaign for the Okaku Constituency by-election with a drive-through at Okadoolopwena. 

IPC called on all illegible voters to go out in their numbers and elect its candidate, Sakaria Jakob, for a change.

If elected as the Councillor for the Okaku Constituency, Jakob promises to enhance efforts aimed at fighting poverty, under-development and unemployment among the youth.

The supplementary registration of voters for the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency by-election kicked off this morning.

ECN's Regional Constituency Supervisor at Keetmanshoop, Rosaline Keramen, says all logistics are in place for the supplementary registration.

The by-election became necessary following the expulsion of former Landless People's Movement (LPM) regional councilor, Gerrit Witbooi.

Speaking to nbc News, Keramen says that all teams have been dispatched to registration points in the constituency.

The Swapo Party Regional Coordinator in the ||Kharas Region, Matheus Mumbala, called on the party supporters to start campaigning and canvassing support ahead of the by-election in the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency.

The by-election was necessitated by the expulsion of Gerrit Witbooi from the Landless People's Movement.

Mumbala, who made the remarks during the opening of the ||Kharas Regional Executive Committee meeting of the party at Keetmanshoop, urged party members to mobilize Keetmanshoop residents to go and register for the by-elections.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has started with preparations for the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency by-election. 

The by-election became necessary, following the expulsion of former regional councillor, Gerrit Witbooi by his party, Landless People's Movement. 

The ECN's Control Administrative Officer Thomas Shapi, when addressing stakeholders at Keetmanshoop announced that the supplementary registration of voters will start next week Tuesday and end on Friday.