President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has praised Namibians for maintaining peace and patience during the Regional Council and Local Authority Elections, calling the conduct of voters and institutions “a true reflection of who we are as a nation.” 

She made her remarks after the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced the final results and confirmed that polling had proceeded smoothly nationwide.

Speaking in a national statement last week, the President said Namibians had once again shown maturity and unity during an important democratic moment.

“We chose peace. We chose patience. We chose democracy,” she said, thanking citizens for their behaviour throughout the campaign period, election day and the vote-counting process.  She emphasised that the peaceful conduct of the election was the most important message the country was sending to the world. 

“When there is peace in the village, there is peace in the nation,” she added.  The central theme of the President’s statement and the most newsworthy angle was her strong emphasis on unity and peaceful democratic participation, describing it as a national achievement that must continue. She applauded the Electoral Commission of Namibia for running the process professionally, saying, “I extend special appreciation to the Electoral Commission of Namibia for the professional manner in which they conducted this entire electoral process.”  The President also recognised the security forces for maintaining a calm and safe environment and commended the media for keeping the public informed.  She said journalists had again demonstrated “the essential responsibility they carry as the fourth estate in supporting our democracy.”  

Nandi-Ndaitwah congratulated all elected councillors and local authority leaders, urging them to serve citizens with integrity.

“The nation will evaluate all of us according to the work we do and the results we deliver,” she said, stressing that the new leaders are part of the 8th Administration tasked with driving the national development agenda. 

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing National Development Plan Six (NDP6), which focuses on food security, youth empowerment, industrialisation and better public services. 

She also called on all citizens to contribute to building “the Namibia we want.” -ljason@nepc.com.na