The South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which is in power, has elected Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s first female president after a general election last week. She earned more than 57% of the vote, more than her nearest competitor Panduleni Itula, who only received 26%, according to the Electoral Commission. With a three-day delay for polling in certain places, logistical issues, and accusations of a seriously broken electoral process, Itula’s Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party has rejected the results.
The IPC plans to file a legal challenge against the outcomes. In Windhoek, the majority of opposition parties abstained from the results announcement. With no instant demonstrations or celebrations in response to the announcement, Windhoek maintained her composure, but Nandi-Ndaitwah said her triumph was a vote for stability and peace. Since 1990, when Namibia gained its independence, SWAPO has been in power.
Read Also: Impeachment Trial Of Kenyan Deputy President Begins
Nandi-Ndaitwah, a long-serving vice president and trusted party stalwart, received congratulations from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. SWAPO narrowly retained its parliamentary majority, winning 51 of 96 seats—a significant loss of 12 seats—while the IPC secured 20 seats and will serve as the official opposition. Political analysts described SWAPO’s performance as its worst since independence. Itula, a charismatic dentist, had previously eroded SWAPO’s support in 2019. The IPC alleges significant voting irregularities, including ballot shortages and equipment failures, leading to voters being turned away after hours of waiting.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) acknowledged organizational shortcomings but denied fraud. The election outcome is viewed against the backdrop of declining support for liberation movements in the region, with similar shifts observed recently in South Africa and Botswana.
Source: bbc
