The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) will hold by-elections in four constituencies by June of this year.

The positions became vacant following the swearing-in of four councillors as members of the National Assembly last week.

They are from the Swapo Party's councillors of the Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein constituencies, Marlayn Mbakera and Elder Filipe, and the United Democratic Front (UDF) councillors for Sesfontein and Kamanjab, Hendrik Gaobaeb and Nico Somaeb.

By law, by-elections are conducted within 90 days of the vacancy, and the President will determine the date of the election and announce it in the government gazette. 

"The commission, in accordance with the Regional Councils Act 2002 of 1992 as well as the Electoral Act Number 5 of 2014, which are legal instruments that are considered for the conduct of elections, will prepare for the conduct of the by-elections of these constituencies."

Meanwhile, four regions are without governors following their swearing-in as Members of Parliament.

These are Salomon April of the Hardap Region, Sirkka Ausiku of the Kavango West Region, Marius Sheya from the Kunene Region and James Uerikua of the Otjozondjupa Region. 

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is yet to pronounce herself on the appointment of the new governors for the unoccupied four regions.