Members of the Landless People's Movement (LPM) have expressed dismay over the exclusion of the party from participating in the upcoming November Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections in some towns and villages.

The party will not participate in elections in numerous towns and villages, including Luderitz, Berseba, Bethanie and Tses in the ||Kharas Region.

Party members marched to the ECN's office in Keetmanshoop to hand over a petition, demanding an independent investigation into the registration process.

They demanded accountability.

Percy Charlies, an LPM member, read the petition. "The use of so-called 'new online registration systems', which apparently failed during LPM applications, led to the arbitrary rejections of our party's registrations. Hard copies were submitted where required, but the reports indicate that only certain constituencies accepted them, while others rejected them without any clear or justifiable reasons."

They appealed for a review of the digital elections system to ensure future accessibility and reliability for all parties.

"We will not stand by while our democracy is undermined. The exclusion of LPM is not merely a party issue; it is a national matter that threatens every citizen's right to vote and be elected."

The ECN's Regional Electoral Officer for ||Kharas, Jejamaie Mujoro, received the petition.

"I acknowledge, as the head of the region, that I have received it. I will move it through the ranks to the CEO and other decision-makers who will respond to your queries and complaints," he said.

The protestors gave ECN two days to respond to their petition.