Offices closed in Namibia: Public holiday for elections

In Namibia, authorities, businesses, and many shops will be closed tomorrow. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has declared 26 November a public holiday. This is because of the regional and local elections. The holiday is intended to make it easier for working Namibians to participate.

Tomorrow, 26 November 2025, regional and local elections will be held in Namibia. Graphic: Post on the Facebook page of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)  

Essential services such as hospitals and petrol stations are not affected by the public holiday regulations. Supermarkets are also usually open. However, as on Sundays and public holidays, the sale of alcohol is prohibited (see also the article 'Holidays' on Namibian.org in the 'Travel Advice' section).

Public opinion check for Nandi-Ndaitwah and SWAPO

In Namibia's 14 regions, Namibians are electing representatives to the regional councils. These councils, in turn, each elect three representatives to the National Council, the second chamber of the Namibian Parliament. Simultaneously, local elections are being held to determine the composition of city and village councils.

Experts expect a high voter turnout. The regional and local elections are also seen as a barometer of satisfaction with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her ruling SWAPO party on national level.

Nandi-Ndaitwah won the presidential elections one year ago with a clear majority. She is the first woman to hold Namibia's highest and most powerful office (see report from Namibian.org about her inauguration on Namibia's 35th Independence Day on 21 March 2025).

SWAPO, on the other hand, achieved its worst result since independence in the National Assembly elections (more information can be found in the Wikipedia article). Presidential and parliamentary elections are held every five years.