Auleria Wakudumo 

OUTAPI – Swapo party candidate Selma Asino won the Outapi constituency by-election with 9 675 votes, defeating her rival Fillemon Shikwambi of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who garnered 669 votes. 

The by-election took place on Friday. 

A total of 26 400 people registered to vote, with 10 425 casting ballots. During the process, 81 ballot papers were spoiled. 

The by-election was held to fill the vacancy left when former councillor Immanuel Shikongo was appointed as regional governor for Omusati region by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. 

The newly elected councillor vowed to serve her community and prioritise the people. 

“I am honoured by the trust the people have shown me. I pledge to serve our community diligently and to be a leader who puts the people first,” Asino promised. 

Voters described the election as fair and quick, noting that they faced no issues like long lines or technical problems. The by-election started smoothly, with polling stations opening at 07h00 and voters arriving as early as 06h00. 

Omusati Returning Officer, Elizabeth Shiningayamwe, reported that electoral officials had encountered no glitches and expressed optimism for a strong turnout despite the vote taking place on a regular workday.

Shiningayamwe told New Era that the Electoral Commission of Namibia had ensured polling stations were well-prepared, with the voting process taking as little as two to five minutes per person. 

“The elected councillor would serve for 52 days until the regional and local authorities elections on 26 November,” Shiningayamwe explained. 

Presiding officers at polling stations confirmed that operations were smooth. 

Suama Peter, who was stationed at Olupaka Combined School, said voter turnout was good and the process ran efficiently.

Residents like Maria Nangolo and first-time voter Ndapanda Shaanika expressed enthusiasm about participating, emphasising the importance of civic engagement.

Both candidates commended the electoral process. Asino, who currently serves as the mayor of Outapi Town Council, praised the efficiency and professionalism of officials. 

Meanwhile, Shikwambi, who served as the Outapi Constituency councillor from 2015 to 2020 as a member of the Swapo Party, stated that the polling process was orderly and conducted on time. However, voter turnout was slow in the early hours.

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