The Landless People's Movement (LPM) has retained the Keetmanshoop Rural constituency after its candidate, Willem Labuschagne, won the by-election.

The Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency seat became vacant after LPM recalled its former regional councillor, Gerrit Witbooi, who also contested as an independent candidate.

Labuschagne was declared the winner after he garnered 1,272 votes.

Swapo Party candidate Elias !Kharuxab obtained 872 votes, while Witbooi received 462 votes.

The Popular Democratic Movement's candidate Johannes Eiman and Independent Patriots for Change's candidate Magdalena van Staden got 275 and 32 votes, respectively.

A total of 2,912 votes were counted, while more than 6,000 voters registered to cast their votes in the by-election.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) CEO, Theo Mujoro, described the by-election as a good experience.

"I think from the perspective of the ECN, it was a good experience. When you have an election process, it is a competition of ideas, so what we witnessed here and there as we were building up to this day of elections is part of democracy. There is some level of tension here and there, but in the end, we were able to conclude successfully."

When asked about his victory shortly after the result announcement, the newly elected regional councillor said the reality has not yet sunk in.

Labuschagne also played his cards close to his chest about his development plans as the new Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency regional councillor.

"Yes, the plans are not mine but those of LPM; thus, I can't say with certainty what they are since they have not yet been discussed with me. However, development benefiting the constituents will top my priority list to bring stability."

LPM supporters celebrated the election victory.