The swearing-in ceremony for the Chairperson and the nomination of a member to the National Council, scheduled for today at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chambers, has been canceled.

Welma Guriras, the Regional Council Director of Planning, called off the event after Otjiwarongo Magistrate Billy Lutaka left the chambers due to delays in starting the ceremony.

nbc News has learned that only four of the five councillors were present, but they remained in caucus despite the meeting originally set to begin at 10:00.

The meeting was called off at 11:00, and the date for rescheduling has not yet been announced.

The councillors will nominate one of their own to succeed former Otjiwarongo Constituency Councillor and Chairperson Marlyn Mbakera, who has moved to Parliament on the Swapo Party ticket.

Another councillor will be nominated to join the National Council to represent the region.

The region comprises seven constituencies: Tsumkwe, Grootfontein, Otavi, Otjiwarongo, Omatako, and Okahandja.

Currently, the Grootfontein Constituency also lacks a councillor, as Elder Filipe has vacated the position to take a seat in Parliament.