Each of the 14 regions of Namibia is further subdivided into electoral constituencies. The size of the constituencies varies with the size and population of each region. There are currently 121 constituencies in Namibia. The most populous constituency according to the 2011 census was Rundu Urban in the Kavango West region with 63,431 people; the least populous was Okatyali in the Oshana Region with 3,187 people.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Wahlkreise_in_Namibia_%282014%29.svg/220px-Wahlkreise_in_Namibia_%282014%29.svg.png)
Local councillors are directly elected through secret ballots (regional elections) by the inhabitants of their constituencies.[2] They occupy a constituency office in the main settlement of their district. However, once elected they keep their full-time job and are expected to run their constituencies after hours.[3] Consequently, they receive allowances rather than salaries, although the remuneration does compare to a mid-range salaried position.[4]
Regional councillors are indirectly elected from and by the constituency councillors in each region. Each region sends three of their local councillors to represent their region in the National Council of Namibia.[2]
Establishment
editThe administrative division of Namibia is tabled by Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commissions, short: Delimitation Commissions, and accepted or declined by the National Assembly. In 1992, the first Delimitation Commission determined the number of constituencies to be 95.[5] Since then, every Delimitation Commission has increased this number to accommodate population growth.[6] The fourth Delimitation Commission increased the number of constituencies to its present number in 2013.[7][8] The fifth Delimitation Commission was appointed in April 2024 and is expected to submit its report in July.[9]
Commission | Date | Members | Regions | Constituencies |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 1992 | Johan Strydom Gerhard Tötemeyer Martin Shipanga |
13 | 95 |
2nd | 1998 | J.P. Karuaihe Lazarus Hangula Samuel Mbambo |
13 | 102 |
3rd | 2002 | Peter Shivute Inge Murangi Peter Kauluma |
13 | 107 |
4th | 2013 | Alfred Siboleka Zedekia Ngavirue Jonathan Steytler |
14 | 121 |
5th | 2024 | Petrus Unengu Prisca Anyolo Gerhardt Gurirab Penias Topnaar |
TBD | TBD |
List of constituencies
editConstituency | Notes | Seat of the constituency office | Total Population (Namibia 2023 Census)[10] | Region |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arandis | Arandis | 13,545 | Erongo Region | |
Dâures | until 1998 Brandberg Constituency[11] | Uis[12] | 14,601 | |
Karibib | Karibib | 19,705 | ||
Omaruru | Omaruru | 13,322 | ||
Swakopmund | Swakopmund | 75,921 | ||
Walvis Bay Rural | created 1998 from a split of Walvis Bay Constituency[11] | Walvis Bay | 51,497 | |
Walvis Bay Urban | created 1998 from a split of Walvis Bay Constituency[11] | Walvis Bay | 51,618 | |
Aranos | created 2013 from a portion of Mariental Rural[13] | Aranos | 10,722 | Hardap Region |
Daweb | created 2013 from a portion of Gibeon Constituency[13] | Maltahöhe | 6,092 | |
Gibeon | Gibeon | 8,034 | ||
Mariental Rural | Stampriet[14] | 12,812 | ||
Mariental Urban | Mariental | 18,368 | ||
Rehoboth Rural | Schlip[14] | 9,439 | ||
Rehoboth Urban East | Rehoboth | 29,299 | ||
Rehoboth Urban West | Rehoboth | 11,914 | ||
Mashare | Mashare | 19,478 | Kavango East Region | |
Mukwe | Mukwe | 39,170 | ||
Ndiyona | Ndiyona | 13,800 | ||
Ndonga Linena | Created 2013[13] | Ndonga Linena | 14,936 | |
Rundu Rural | Created 1998 as Rundu Rural from a split of Rundu Constituency.[11] Split in 2003 into Rundu Rural East and Rundu Rural West.[15] In 2013, when Rundu Rural West was moved to the Kavango West region and renamed Ncuncuni, Rundu Rural got its original name back.[13] | 12,405 | ||
Rundu Urban | created 1998 from a split of Rundu Constituency[11] | Rundu | 118,632 | |
Kapako | Kapako | 27,823 | Kavango West Region | |
Mankumpi | created 2013[13] | Satotwa | 6,910 | |
Mpungu | Katwitwi | 21,098 | ||
Musese | Rupara | 13,659 | ||
Ncamagoro | Ncamagoro | 8,449 | ||
Ncuncuni | Created 2003 as Rundu Rural West from a split of Rundu Rural constituency.[15] Renamed 2013 into Ncuncuni.[13] | 10,943 | ||
Nkurenkuru | created 2013[13] | Nkurenkuru | 15,887 | |
Tondoro | created 2013[13] | Mburuuru | 18,497 | |
John Pandeni | Until 2012 Soweto | 25,457 | Khomas Region | |
Katutura Central | 30,557 | |||
Katutura East | 22,940 | |||
Khomasdal | until 2013 Khomasdal North[13] | 67,211 | ||
Moses ǁGaroëb | Created in 2003 from a split of Hakahana Constituency[15] | 68,932 | ||
Samora Machel | Until 2003 Wanaheda Constituency[15] | 92,401 | ||
Tobias Hainyeko | Created in 2003 from a split of Hakahana Constituency[15] | 67,067 | ||
Windhoek East | 30,054 | |||
Windhoek Rural | Groot Aub | 30,079 | ||
Windhoek West | 59,907 | |||
Epupa | Until 1998 Ruacana Constituency. Ruacana was moved to Omusati Region, where again a Ruacana Constituency was created.[11] | 26,491 | Kunene Region | |
Kamanjab | Kamanjab | 11,349 | ||
Khorixas | Khorixas | 15,506 | ||
Opuwo Rural | created 2013 from a split of Opuwo Constituency[13] | Otuani | 14,894 | |
Opuwo Urban | created 2013 from a split of Opuwo Constituency[13] | Opuwo | 23,934 | |
Outjo | Outjo | 19,743 | ||
Sesfontein | Sesfontein | 8,845 | ||
Eenhana | Onambutu[16] | 35,304 | Ohangwena Region | |
Endola | Oshawapala[17] | 32,698 | ||
Engela | Oshimwaku[18] | 30 004 | ||
Epembe | Epembe | 16,336 | ||
Ohangwena | Helao Nafidi | 31,491 | ||
Okongo | Okongo | 31,746 | ||
Omulonga | Created 2003[15] | Onamukulo | 32,802 | |
Omundaungilo | Omundaungilo[19] | 15,009 | ||
Ondobe | Oshandi | 32,622 | ||
Ongenga | Ongenga | 27,296 | ||
Oshikango | Edundja[20] | 30,531 | ||
Oshikunde | created 2013[13] | Omutwewomunu | 21,890 | |
Aminuis | Aminuis | 13,801 | Omaheke Region | |
Epukiro | Created 2003[15] | Epukiro | 7,880 | |
Gobabis | Gobabis | 35,452 | ||
Kalahari | until 1998 Buitepos Constituency[11] | Ben-Hur | 12,021 | |
Otjinene | Otjinene | 12,415 | ||
Otjombinde | until 1998 Otjozondjou Constituency[11] | Otjombinde | 9,041 | |
Okorukambe | until 2013 Steinhausen Constituency[13] | Steinhausen | 12,271 | |
Anamulenge | Anamulenge | 20,344 | Omusati Region | |
Elim | Elim | 13,400 | ||
Etayi | created 1998[11] | Etayi | 33,088 | |
Ogongo | Ogongo | 17,649 | ||
Okahao | created 1998[11] | Okahao | 24,909 | |
Okalongo | until 1998 Okalonga Constituency[11] | Okalongo | 32,663 | |
Onesi | Onesi | 23,364 | ||
Oshikuku | Oshikuku | 19,693 | ||
Otamanzi | Created 2003[15] | Otamanzi | 16,399 | |
Outapi | until 1998 Uutapi Constituency[11] | Outapi | 53,594 | |
Ruacana | Created 1998. A previous constituency with the same name was part of Kunene Region and renamed Epupa Constituency.[11] | Ruacana | 27,261 | |
Tsandi | Tsandi | 34,307 | ||
Okaku | Okaku | 21,892 | Oshana Region | |
Okatana | Okatana | 19,974 | ||
Okatyali | Okatyali | 4,502 | ||
Ompundja | Enguwantale | 4,582 | ||
Ondangwa Rural | created 2013 from a split of Ondangwa Constituency[13] | Eheke | 14,959 | |
Ondangwa Urban | created 2013 from a split of Ondangwa Constituency[13] | Ondangwa | 31,466 | |
Ongwediva | Ongwediva | 44,166 | ||
Oshakati East | created 1998 from a split of Oshakati Constituency[11] | Oshakati | 39,915 | |
Oshakati West | created 1998 from a split of Oshakati Constituency[11] | Olupumbu[21] | 30,665 | |
Uukwiyu | Uukwiyu | 13,033 | ||
Uuvudhiya | Engombe[22] | 5,647 | ||
Eengodi | Onamishu[23] | 24,208 | Oshikoto Region | |
Guinas | Oshivelo[24] | 8,578 | ||
Nehale lyaMpingana | created 2013[13] | Omboto[25] | 17,317 | |
Okankolo | Onyuulaye[26] | 17,988 | ||
Olukonda | Olukonda | 14,318 | ||
Omuntele | Omuntele | 21,043 | ||
Omuthiyagwiipundi | 39,855 | |||
Onayena | Onayena | 16,669 | ||
Oniipa | Oniipa | 33,727 | ||
Onyaanya | until 1999 Okatope Constituency[27] | Onyaanya | 25,465 | |
Tsumeb | until 1999 Oshikoto Constituency[27] | 38,134 | ||
Grootfontein | Grootfontein | 36,951 | Otjozondjupa Region | |
Okahandja | Okahandja | 46,061 | ||
Okakarara | Okakarara | 30,987 | ||
Omatako | Okandjira[28] | 18,283 | ||
Otavi | Otavi | 18,279 | ||
Otjiwarongo | Otjiwarongo | 54,893 | ||
Tsumkwe | created 1998 from the eastern part of Grootfontein Constituency[11] | Tsumkwe | 15,357 | |
Judea Lyaboloma | created 2013[13] | Sangwali | 8,738 | Zambezi Region |
Kabbe North | created 2013 from a split of Kabbe Constituency[13] | Kabbe | 12,253 | |
Kabbe South | created 2013 from a split of Kabbe Constituency[13] | Nakabolelwa | 11,345 | |
Katima Mulilo Rural | created 1998 from a split of Katima Mulilo Constituency[11] | Bukalo | 24,016 | |
Katima Mulilo Urban | created 1998 from a split of Katima Mulilo Constituency[11] | Katima Mulilo | 46,401 | |
Kongola | Kongola | 12,069 | ||
Linyanti | 10,425 | |||
Sibbinda | Sibbinda | 17,126 | ||
Berseba | Berseba | 11,258 | ǁKaras Region | |
Karasburg East | created 2013 from a split of Karasburg Constituency[13] | Karasburg | 13,821 | |
Karasburg West | created 2013 from a split of Karasburg Constituency[13] | Noordoewer | 17,741 | |
Keetmanshoop Rural | Aroab | 8,744 | ||
Keetmanshoop Urban | Keetmanshoop | 27,862 | ||
ǃNamiǂNûs | until 2013 Lüderitz Constituency[13] | Lüderitz | 17,243 | |
Oranjemund | Oranjemund | 13,224 |
References
edit- ^ "Namibia: Division (Regions and Constituencies) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
- ^ a b "Namibia National Council". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ^ Ndeyanale, Eliaser (28 January 2016). "Councillors should be fully recognised politicians". Confidente. p. 5.
- ^ Mbathera, Ester; Iikela, Sakeus (24 February 2021). "Councillor pay hike proposal not sinister – Daniel". The Namibian. p. 3.
- ^ "Establishment of the boundaries of constituencies in Namibia" (pdf). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. No. 473. Government of Namibia. 1 September 1992. pp. 2–28.
- ^ Matundu-Tjiparuro, Mae (28 February 2011). "Khomas Region, a constitutional, political and geographical hybrid". Focus on: Khomas Region. supplement to New Era. p. 3.
- ^ Shinovene Immanuel. "Caprivi is no more" Archived 13 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine. The Namibian. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ "Delimitation underway" (PDF). Election Watch (1). Institute for Public Policy Research: 1–2. 2013.
- ^ Petersen, Shelleygan (4 April 2024). "Mbumba sets three-month deadline for delimitation commission report". The Namibian.
- ^ "Regional Council 2020 Election Results". Interactive map. Electoral Commission of Namibia. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Re-division of certain regions into constituencies: Regional Councils Act, 1992" (pdf). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. No. 1940. Government of Namibia. 31 August 1998. pp. 7–25.
- ^ "Constituencies". Erongo Regional Council. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Creation of new regions and division and re-division of certain regions into constituencies: Regional Councils Act, 1992" (pdf). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. No. 5261. Government of Namibia. 9 August 2013. pp. 1–39. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Constituencies". Hardap Regional Council. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Re-division of certain regions into constituencies: Regional Councils Act, 1992" (pdf). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. No. 2942. Government of Namibia. 28 March 2003. pp. 2–21.
- ^ "Eenhana Constituency". Ohangwena Regional Council. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Endola Constituency". Ohangwena Regional Council. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Engela Constituency". Ohangwena Regional Council. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Omundaungilo Constituency". Ohangwena Regional Council. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Oshikango Constituency". Ohangwena Regional Council. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Oshakati West Constituency". Oshana Regional Council. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Uuvudhiya Constituency". Oshana Regional Council. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Eengodi Constituency". Oshikoto Regional Council. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Guinas". Oshikoto Regional Council. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Nehale Lya Mpingana". Oshikoto Regional Council. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Okankolo". Oshikoto Regional Council. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Amendment of Proclamation No. 25 of 1 September 1992, as amended by Proclamation No. 16 of 31 August 1998" (pdf). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. No. 2233. Government of Namibia. 22 November 1999. p. 2.
- ^ "Omatako Constituency". Otjozondjupa Regional Council. Retrieved 18 January 2024.