Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Commissioner Pius Iikwambi has raised concern over the steady decline in voter turnout for regional councils and local authorities elections since the country’s first such polls in 1992.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Regional Councils and Local Authorities Elections calendar in Windhoek on Wednesday, Iikwambi said that voter participation has dwindled over the past three decades, despite continued efforts to promote electoral engagement.

“The turnout for these elections has been on a downward trend since 1992; this is a matter of concern for the commission, as it undermines the strength of local governance and representative democracy.”

In the most recent 2020 elections, turnout hovered just above 43%, compared to higher figures recorded in the 1990s.

Iikwambi urged citizens to reclaim their role in the democratic process by participating actively in the upcoming elections.