President Nangolo Mbumba says the visit by the Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, to Namibia is timely.

Dr. Casas-Zamora is in the country for engagements and discussions with key stakeholders and paid a courtesy call at State House a while ago.

President Mbumba says the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) would greatly benefit from IDEA's support as the country prepares for the general elections.

Namibia is one of 35 member states of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, described as a heterogeneous coalition of democracies.

It is a policy research institute whose work cuts across elections, constitutions, gender, technical assistance, and the impact of digital technology on democracy, among others.

President Mbumba commended the work of the organisation and the assistance rendered to the ECN.

The International IDEA has provided technical assistance to the ECN in the development of a risk management tool for the Commission to identify risks and how to mitigate them.

Another is the development of the gender policy, and further discussions are in the pipeline for collaboration in new areas.

The International IDEA is also collaborating with the parliaments of member countries.

The Speaker of the National Assembly says there is a great deal that the Namibian Parliament will learn from best practices in strengthening ECN to carry out its mandate.