The seat allocation for the incoming National Assembly will bring changes to the dynamics in the August House.
Public Policy Analyst Dr. Marius Kudumo says the debate, including the issues in the National Assembly, will be different, and the calibre of parliamentarians in terms of articulating will be something to look out for.
96 people will become parliamentarians in 2025, and they have a mammoth task to change, review, and adopt laws on behalf of Namibians.
Dr. Kudumo said the changes could have positive implications for Namibia's constitutional democracy and evidence-based policymaking.
"It is good for a constitutional democracy, as well as for evidence-based policy making, because we make policies on the basis of our expertise, as well as on the basis of our experiences."
According to Kudumo, the evolving composition of the National Assembly could lead to more robust and well-rounded policy decisions, reflecting the diverse perspectives of Namibia's political landscape.
The independent Patriots for Change have pulled the rug out from under the feet of the Popular Democratic Movement; the PDM will no longer boast to be the official opposition.
It lost a whopping 11 seats and only managed to garner five for the next National Assembly.
Dr. Kudumo attributed the PDM's decline to a combination of factors, including shifting voter allegiances, internal party dynamics, and the highly contested nature of the election.
"In the previous election, IPC did not participate, and many voters who supported the IPC presidential candidate may have opted for PDM as an alternative in the National Assembly. This time, IPC provided a direct option for these voters."
"Many political parties in Namibia draw their support from specific communities. The areas where PDM traditionally draws its support are now overcrowded with other political parties. This, coupled with internal disharmony within the broader community—whether at the level of traditional leadership or within parties like SWANU and NUDO—created voter fatigue. In the minds of voters, these parties may seem similar, leading them to seek alternatives."
He is of the opinion that the potential implications of some political parties rejecting the election outcome and threatening legal action may hinder the operations of the National Assembly.
"The incoming administration, including Parliament, must recognise the urgency of the issues facing the country. This is not a time for relaxation or delays, as time is a critical resource. If legal challenges are brought forward, we assume that the courts will treat them as urgent matters so they can be resolved before the new administration is inaugurated."
Swapo Party has won 51 seats while opposition parties have won a combined 45 seats.