There is much work expected of the Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission.
This is in line with the Year of Expectations and Elections, as declared by the late President Hage Geingob.
President Nangolo Mbumba emphasised this during the appointment of commissioners for the Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission.
Article 104 of the Namibian Constitution authorises the President to appoint a Boundaries Delimation and Demarcation Commission every 10 years.
These commissions make recommendations as to how Namibia should be administratively divided, considering only geographical changes like population growth and migration.
The commissioners will serve for three months.
Dr. Mbumba said the Commission’s final report will assist the Electoral Commission of Namibia, enabling the registration of eligible voters in the correct regions and constituencies.
“Therefore, this is not a task that must be taken lightly, seeing that the foundations of our democracy must be reinforced by accurate, reliable, and relevant information. We take note that we have now passed the 3 million mark in terms of our population. As a result, the work of this commission will provide us with valuable insights into the changing demographics of our nation, which now comprises a majority of youth,” said Mbumba.
The Commissioners have been drawn from varied fields such as law, academia, the faith-based community, and the social sciences.
Retired Judge Petrus Unengu is the chairperson, while Prisca Anyolo, Gerardt Gurirab, Penias Topnaar, and Phanuel Kaapama also serve on the Commission.
President Mbumba expects teamwork from the Commissioners, as the government would formulate responsive policy interventions based on the work of the Commission.
“Your terms of reference are clear. Today, I charge you to, without delay, commence with the task at hand, as you have a very limited time frame of only three months in which you are expected to deliver results. Therefore, it is imperative that you acquaint yourselves with the preliminary Population and Housing Report and other relevant government policies as they relate to our population.”
Over the next three months, the Commission will assess the current boundaries of the regions and constituencies and, in the process, fully engage local communities.
This exercise will determine whether or not any changes to existing boundaries are required. Following this, the Commission will make recommendations to the President.
The recommendations from the 4th Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission saw the creation of Namibia’s 14th political region, Kavango West, and the renaming of several constituencies, such as Luderitz to ǃNamiǂNûs and the renaming of Caprivi Region to Zambezi.
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