Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party was declared the winner of last week’s disputed elections on Tuesday, paving the way for the country’s first female president. However, the main opposition has already rejected the results, claiming they do not recognize the outcome.
Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah secured just over 57 percent of the vote, while her main challenger, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) candidate, garnered 25.5 percent, according to the election authority’s announcement.
At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah becomes the first woman to lead Namibia, a mineral-rich Southern African nation governed by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) since its independence in 1990.
The November 27 election was marred by logistical and technical issues, including a shortage of ballot papers, which caused long delays and extended the voting process twice. Some voters abandoned the polls after waiting up to 12 hours.
The IPC has condemned these issues as a deliberate attempt to frustrate voters, with its presidential candidate Panduleni Itula, 67, declaring last week that there were “a multitude of irregularities” in the election. He emphasized that the IPC would not accept the results, vowing to fight to nullify the election through legal channels.
An organization of Southern African human rights lawyers, who served as election monitors, also claimed that the voting delays were widespread and intentional. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) admitted to several organizational failures, including a shortage of ballot papers and overheating electronic tablets used for voter registration.
Despite these issues, nearly 77 percent of the 1.5 million registered voters cast ballots. The election was seen as a critical test for SWAPO, which has ruled the country since independence, amid declining support for other liberation-era movements in the region.
Namibia, a major exporter of uranium and diamonds, has seen limited improvements in infrastructure and job opportunities, particularly for its young population. Unemployment among those aged 15 to 34 is estimated at 46 percent, nearly three times the national average.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, known for her initials “NNN” and recognized by her gold-framed glasses, is one of the few women leaders in Africa. She became vice president in February and campaigned on her experience and leadership. She has promised to create jobs by attracting investments through economic diplomacy.
Her election victory is a landmark moment for Namibia, but the political landscape remains tense as the opposition continues to challenge the legitimacy of the vote.
AFP
