As Namibia prepares for the Regional and Local Authorities Council Elections scheduled for 26 November 2025, citizens are once again called to exercise their democratic right. Elections are the heartbeat of democracy, and every ballot cast will shape the governance and development of our communities for years to come.

Too often, however, voters make decisions based on party colors and slogans rather than the quality and integrity of individual candidates. While parties are important vehicles of democracy, the reality is that service delivery occurs at the local level through actual people entrusted with real responsibilities.

Why choose the candidate, not just the party?

Service delivery relies on individuals. A party can have strong policies, but it is the councillor or regional representative you elect who will attend meetings, engage with the community, and push for development.

Accountability is personal, so when a councillor fails to deliver, the community doesn’t complain to a color; it holds the individual accountable. Choosing wisely means electing people who are approachable, transparent, and committed.

Leadership beyond party lines
A good leader listens to all residents, not just those who voted for their party. Electing candidates of integrity ensures inclusivity and fairness.

Elections can be compared to moments of short-lived pleasure; they may last only a few minutes in the voting booth, but the consequences stay with us for years. Just like in life, where being careless in choice can bring lasting regret, voting blindly for a party colour without considering the person behind it can trap a community in years of poor governance.

That is why every voter must be careful with whom they “choose to sleep with” politically. The decision may feel quick and easy on Election Day, but the impact is long-lasting, shaping the future of schools, clinics, roads, housing, and livelihoods.

Importance of voting

Namibia stands at a critical juncture as the nation prepares for the Regional and Local Authority Council Elections on 26 November 2025. With 121 constituencies across the country, the choices made at the ballot box will shape the future of service delivery, community development, and democratic accountability. 

This is why every constituency needs to approach the elections with radical yet calculated decision-making, radical in breaking away from old voting habits, and calculated in carefully evaluating the leadership qualities of candidates.

Unlike national politics, regional and local authorities’ elections directly influence everyday realities: access to clean water, sanitation, roads, housing, and community services. 

Constituencies that vote purely on party loyalty risk electing leaders who lack the capacity to deliver. Calculated voting ensures that competence, accountability, and service delivery are prioritized. For instance, some constituencies that elected leaders based solely on party colours in past elections still struggle with poor sanitation and lack of housing, not because of a lack of policies, but because of weak local leadership.

Breaking blind voting cycle

For decades, many voters in Namibia have cast their ballots based on party allegiance rather than the merit of individual candidates. Radical decision-making requires breaking free from this cycle. It calls for a shift in mindset: asking “Who will serve my community best?” instead of which colour do I support? 

Elections are about the people who will represent us in councils, not the logos or slogans they carry. A calculated voter carefully studies the track record, integrity, and commitment of each candidate.

When service delivery fails, citizens do not complain to the political colour they hold individuals accountable. 

This makes it crucial for every constituency to elect capable and ethical leaders who will listen, engage, and act.

For example, constituencies that elected proactive councillors have successfully lobbied for new schools, clinics, and roads, while others remain stagnant due to absent or ineffective leadership.

Elections are a lasting commitment

Casting a vote may only take five minutes, but the impact lasts for five years. This makes the decision comparable to a long-term commitment it cannot be taken lightly. Voters must remember that elections are not about short-term excitement; they are about entrusting individuals with the power to shape livelihoods for years to come. 

As Namibians prepare to make their voices heard on 26 November, let us rise above blind allegiance to colours and symbols. 

Let us ask, does this candidate have a track record of service? Are they honest and approachable?

Do they understand the real needs of our community? Will they put people above politics? Does this candidate have a record of honesty and service? Are they accessible and accountable to the community? Do they understand the real needs of the people?

As Namibia moves toward the 26 November elections, all 121 constituencies must make radical and calculated decisions. Radical, by rejecting blind loyalty and demanding better leadership; calculated, by assessing candidates on their track record, vision, and ability to deliver. The prosperity of local communities, and indeed the nation, depends on how wisely voters use their power. 

Namibia’s democracy will only thrive when every ballot is cast with both courage and calculation

Your vote is your power. Use it wisely. Namibia deserves leaders chosen for their competence and integrity, not for the colours they wear. Our democracy thrives when citizens vote with discernment. On election day, remember, it is not colours that deliver development, it is people. Choose wisely.

*Floriam Marembo is the National President of the African Young Leaders Foundation.