Democracy doesn’t thrive on election day alone—it lives or dies by how well citizens understand their role in it. That’s why the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has poured an impressive N$26 million into civic education for the 2025/2026 financial year, according to its chairperson, Elsie Nghikembua. But here’s the part that might surprise you: this isn’t just about teaching people how to vote—it’s about shaping a more informed, engaged, and critical citizenry.
Over time, the ECN has partnered with several civil society organizations, such as the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID), to expand civic learning across the nation. These collaborations have laid the foundation for widespread citizen awareness. Recently, the Commission took this effort a step further by signing agreements with the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), aiming to bring academic expertise and research-driven approaches into civic education programs.
During a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Nghikembua emphasized that making democracy work isn’t a one-player game. ECN alone can’t bear the entire load. “We also want to use this opportunity to encourage other civil society organizations to come on board so that we strengthen civic education. It is really a responsibility that should be carried out by various sectors,” she urged, underscoring the role of partnership in fostering widespread participation.
So, what exactly is civic education, and why is it so crucial? At its heart, civic education provides citizens with information, training, and experiences that build the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to participate meaningfully in democracy. It helps voters understand how elections function, what their rights and obligations are, and how to make thoughtful, informed choices—whether that’s analyzing political parties, evaluating candidates, or assessing national issues. In short, it equips citizens not just to vote, but to think.
Nghikembua noted that the ECN has been actively preparing Namibians for the upcoming 2025 Regional Council and Local Authority elections. “The Commission has done its part in terms of voter education,” she explained. “We started with civic education, and closer to the elections, we shifted focus to voter education. Daily, in all constituencies, our voter education officers have been engaging the communities directly.” The hands-on approach, she suggested, ensures that every citizen—urban or rural—receives equal access to electoral knowledge.
Civic knowledge does more than help people memorize rules; it empowers them to grasp how government systems function and where they fit within that structure. Through this understanding, citizens gain the ability to analyze information, assess the credibility of media content, and make reasoned political judgments—skills that are increasingly vital in this age of misinformation.
Legally, this responsibility isn’t just a passion project for the ECN—it’s a mandate. Under Section 49 of the Electoral Act of 2014 (Act No. 5 of 2014), the Commission is charged with supervising, directing, and promoting voter education across Namibia. This provision enshrines the principle that an informed electorate is central to a healthy democracy. When people understand why their votes matter and how their voices influence broader governance, participation rises, and civic trust strengthens.
This is where the National Voter Education Policy comes into play. Its purpose is to make sure every eligible Namibian knows not just how to participate in the electoral process, but why participation matters. The policy also aims to build strong partnerships that allow the ECN and its collaborators to meet voter education needs efficiently and sustainably. In addition, it ensures that educational campaigns deliver consistent, accurate, and accessible messages across all regions, creating a level playing field of understanding.
Moreover, the ECN acts as a quality regulator, monitoring voter education partners to ensure their content adheres to national standards. This oversight guarantees that every message citizens receive is factual, relevant, and aligned with democratic principles.
But here’s where it gets interesting—and potentially controversial. Some might question whether the massive N$26 million investment will truly spark deeper civic engagement or merely result in short-term voter awareness campaigns. Is money alone enough to inspire lifelong democratic participation? Or should more be done to integrate civic education into schools, workplaces, and everyday public life?
What’s your take? Should civic education be treated as an ongoing national priority beyond election cycles—or is this kind of large expenditure only justified during voting season? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate about democracy’s foundation is one worth having.