About 1.5mn Namibians are expected to vote in local government polls on November 26, with a candidate, Adolf Hitler Uunona, in the running for yet another re-election, MercoPress wrote on November 25.

The 59-year-old, who attracts attention due to his first and middle names, represents the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo). He previously won re-election as a councillor in Oshana region, central Namibia, with 85% of the vote in 2020.

“My father gave me this name Adolf Hitler, but it does not mean I have Adolf Hitler’s character or resemble that of Adolf Hitler of Germany,” Uunona told Bild after his 2020 victory, referring to the WWII-era dictator of Nazi Germany, who rose to power with his radical ideology.

“Hitler was a controversial person who captured and killed people across the globe. I am not like him.” 

The German Empire killed thousands of people in what is today Namibia during a 1904-08 revolt by local Nama, Herero and San people, in what some historians have called a "forgotten" genocide.

Germanic names are common in Namibia, a former German colony. But few draw as much attention as Uunona’s. Despite the history of the name, Uunona said he will not change it. “It's in all official documents. It's too late for that,” he said.

In a release on the eve of the election, the Electoral Commission of Namibia urged voters to exercise patience and show respect to fellow voters and election officials.

“As we collectively count down to 26 November 2025, the commission wishes to remind all registered voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote,” it said.

“The commission encourages leaders and candidates to arrive early at their designated polling stations to cast their votes, thereby motivating their supporters to turn out in large numbers. 

“In view of the above, and in accordance with African norms and cultural values of respect, the commission encourages voters to show courtesy to elders, leaders, candidates, and other vulnerable members of society by allowing them, where possible, to vote and proceed without delay.”

Swapo, in power since the country attained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, is expected to sweep to victory once again. Last year, its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, secured 58% of the vote.  Her party won 51 of the 96 directly elected seats in parliament.