Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has been declared the winner of last week’s contentious presidential election, which saw the country elect its first female president, Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
However, the announcement has been met with sharp opposition from the country’s main challenger, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which has already rejected the results citing widespread irregularities.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who garnered just over 57 percent of the votes, will succeed outgoing President Hage Geingob, becoming the first woman to lead Namibia.
Her nearest rival, Panduleni Itula of the IPC, received 25.5 percent of the vote.
Despite the official count, the IPC, led by Itula, has declared that it does not recognize the results, accusing the election organizers of deliberate efforts to disenfranchise voters.
The November 27 vote faced significant logistical setbacks, including a shortage of ballot papers and prolonged delays, which caused frustration among voters.
On the first day of voting, some citizens waited for up to 12 hours before abandoning the process altogether.
The delays led to two extensions of the polling period.
The IPC claims these disruptions were a calculated attempt to frustrate their supporters and suppress turnout, a charge that was also leveled by a southern African human rights group monitoring the elections.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) acknowledged the technical failures, including the malfunctioning of electronic voter registration tablets and the insufficient supply of ballot papers.
Despite these issues, nearly 77 percent of Namibia’s registered voters participated in the election, which was seen as a critical test for SWAPO’s continued dominance in the post-independence era.
SWAPO, which has held power since Namibia’s independence in 1990, faces growing dissatisfaction among young voters who feel disconnected from the country’s wealth, particularly in its booming mining sector.
Namibia, a major exporter of uranium and diamonds, still struggles with high unemployment, particularly among young adults aged 15 to 34, where unemployment is nearly 46 percent.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, often recognized for her gold-framed glasses and calm demeanor, has pledged to address these issues by attracting foreign investment and promoting job creation through economic diplomacy.
Her leadership marks a new chapter for Namibia, with her election drawing attention as one of the few women in leadership positions on the African continent.
Despite the victory, the political landscape remains fractured, with the IPC vowing to challenge the election results through legal means.
The outcome of this election may have long-lasting implications for SWAPO’s future, as it navigates mounting internal and external challenges in a rapidly changing political environment.