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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Namibia |
Namibia is divided into 14 regions subdivided, which are further subdivided into 121 constituencies. The administrative divisions of Namibia are tabled by Delimitation Commissions and accepted or declined by the National Assembly.
Before the independence of Namibia, the territory was known as South-West Africa (before 1885 and between 1915 and 1989) and as German South-West Africa during the time of colonialisation by the German Empire (1885-1915).
During the South African administration it was considered the de facto fifth province of South Africa, although a formal request for annexation to the United Nations was turned down. [1] The territory that became the independent state of Namibia on 21 March 1990 inherited the administrative division of this "province" which consisted of 26 districts. These districts remained until the First Delimitation Commission of Namibia tabled its recommendations in the National Assembly, and the latter approved and implemented them in 1992. Since then, Namibia is divided into regions which in turn are divided into constituencies. [2]
Delimitation Commissions are three-member bodies appointed by the president that make suggestions as to how Namibia should be administratively divided, considering only geographical changes like population grow and migration but not discriminating by ethnic factors. They are mentioned in articles 102-104 of the constitution, and they are to sit approximately once every ten years, [3] although they sat more frequently before 2002.
The chairman of the Delimitation Commission must be a judge at either a High Court or the Supreme Court. This judge and the other two commission members are appointed by the president, subject to the approval of Parliament. [3]
The four Delimitation Commissions of Namibia so far are: [2]
| Commission | Formed | Members | Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1990 | Judge President Johan Strydom Martin Shipanga Professor Gerhard Tötemeyer |
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| 2nd | 1998 | Judge JP Karuaihe Dr Samuel Mbambo Professor Lazarus Hangula |
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| 3rd | 2002 | Judge Peter Shivute Inge Murangi Peter Kauluma |
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| 4th | 2013 | Judge Alfred Siboleka Dr Zedekia Ngavirue Dr Jonathan Steytler |
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The current administrative division of Namibia is the result of the work of the Fourth Delimitation Commission, tabled in 2013. Namibia is divided into 14 regions and 121 constituencies. [4]
The Zambezi Region, until 2013 known as the Caprivi Region, is one of the 14 regions of Namibia, located in the extreme north-east of the country. It is largely concurrent with the Caprivi Strip and takes its name from the Zambezi River that runs along its border. Katima Mulilo is its capital and the largest city, the Governor is Lawrence Sampofu.
Administratively, Portugal is de jure unitary and decentralized state. Nonetheless, operationally, it is a highly centralized system with administrative divisions organized into three tiers. The State is organized under the principles of subsidiarity, local government autonomy, and democratic decentralization of the public service.
Kavango was one of the thirteen regions of Namibia until it was split into the Kavango East and Kavango West Regions in 2013. Its capital was Rundu.
The ǁKaras Region is the southernmost and least densely populated of the 14 regions of Namibia; its capital is Keetmanshoop. The name assigned to the region reflects the prominence of the Karas mountain range in its southern part. The ǁKaras region includes the magisterial districts of Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Bethanie, and Lüderitz.
Namibia uses regions as its first-level subnational administrative divisions. Since 2013, it has 14 regions which in turn are subdivided into 121 constituencies.
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. The administrative division of Namibia is tabled by Delimitation Commissions and accepted or declined by the National Assembly. In 1992, the First Delimitation Commission chaired by Judge President Johan Strydom determined the number of constituencies to be 95. Since then, every Delimitation Commission has increased this number to accommodate population growth. The fourth Delimitation Commission increased the number of constituencies to its present number in 2013.
Elections in Namibia gives information on election and election results in Namibia.
General elections were held in South Africa on 20 October 1915 to elect the 130 members of the House of Assembly. This was the second Union Parliament. The governing South African Party (SAP) of General Louis Botha emerged from the elections as the largest party, but did not receive an overall majority.
The Puducherry Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Indian union territory (UT) of Puducherry, which comprises four districts: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahé and Yanam. The legislative assembly has 33 seats, of which 5 are reserved for candidates from scheduled castes and 3 members are nominated by the Government of India. 30 out of 33 Members are elected directly by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise.
Ndiyona is a constituency in the Kavango East region of Namibia. The district centre is the settlement of Ndiyona. It had a population of 20,633 in 2011, up from 19,565 in 2001.
Kavango East is one of the fourteen regions of Namibia. Its capital is Rundu, its governor is Bonifatius Wakudumo. The Region was created in 2013 when the Kavango Region was split into Kavango East and Kavango West.
Kavango West is one of the fourteen regions of Namibia. Its capital is Nkurenkuru, its governor is Sirkka Ausiku. The Region was created in 2013 when the Kavango Region was split into Kavango East and Kavango West. In the north, Kavango West borders the Cuando Cubango Province of Angola. Domestically, it borders the following regions:
Opuwo Rural is an electoral constituency in the Kunene Region of Namibia. It was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Opuwo Rural is the settlement of Otuani.
Oshikunde Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Ohangwena Region of Namibia. It was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Oshikunde Constituency is the settlement of Omutwewomunu.
Nehale IyaMpingana Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia, named after Nehale lya Mpingana, one of Namibia's National Heroes. It was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Nehale lyaMpingana is the settlement of Okoloti.
Ndonga Linena Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Kavango East Region of Namibia. It was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Ndonga Linena Constituency is the settlement of Ndonga Linena. Ndonga Linena was formed from the western part of the Ndiyona Constituency.
Kabbe South is the easternmost of the eight electoral constituencies of Zambezi Region of Namibia. It was created in August 2013 from the eastern part of Kabbe Constituency, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Kabbe South is the settlement of Nakabolelwa.
Mankumpi Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Kavango West Region of Namibia. The administrative centre is the village of Satotwa. Mankumpi was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. It was formed from the south-eastern part of the former Kahenge Constituency.
Ncamagoro Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Kavango West Region of Namibia. It was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Ncamagoro Constituency is the village of Ncamagoro. Ncamagoro was formed from the southern part of the Kapako Constituency.
Nkurenkuru Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Kavango West Region of Namibia. It was created in August 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, and in preparation of the 2014 general election. The administrative centre of Nkurenkuru Constituency is the town of Nkurenkuru. Before the administrative change in 2013 the area of this constituency, including the town of Nkurenkuru, was part of Mpungu Constituency in the Kavango Region.
