Members of Parliament in the National Assembly have approved the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s budget of N$181 million for the 2026/2027 financial year.

PDM MP Diederik Vries questioned the allocation for non-personnel expenditure.

“An amount of N$608,465 is budgeted for non-personnel expenditure. This includes the rental of offices for ECN regional staff. Can the ECN not begin constructing its own buildings instead of renting?”

IPC MP Michael Mwashindange also raised concerns.

“I want to know who owns the gadgets that the ECN is renting. Who are the owners? And what happens to these gadgets in between elections?”

NDP leader Lukato Lukato questioned unresolved cases.

“I want to know the status of the missing EVM machines that were stolen. How far is that case? Also, what about the government vehicle that was stolen five years ago at ECN headquarters? Political parties have not received any updates on these matters.”

MPs also commended the ECN for its role in upholding democracy over the years.

“The Electoral Commission is the body that keeps democracy alive in this country. They are the ones delivering democracy. Despite our differing views, it is only fair that we give them due recognition,” said Salomon April of Swapo.

Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, expressed optimism about the future of democracy.

“I believe in the future. It would be unfair for us as Members of Parliament to wait for 12 months while the ECN is performing its duties and then suddenly criticise them without having engaged them. That approach does not give them a fair chance to account for their work.”

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Phillipus Katamelo, acknowledged that there were some shortcomings in the elections.

He, however, stated that improvements will be made in future elections.