Namibia’s Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has won the presidential elections with 57.31 percent of the vote, becoming the first female leader of Namibia. The opposition IPC, led by Panduleni Itula, has contested the results, claiming electoral irregularities. The elections faced numerous logistical issues, including long wait times for voters.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, representing Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party, has emerged victorious in the presidential elections, securing 57.31 percent of the votes, as announced by the election commission on Tuesday. The opposition’s candidate, Panduleni Itula from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 25.5 percent, indicating a significant margin. At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah makes history as the first woman to assume leadership of Namibia, a nation rich in natural resources and governed by SWAPO since its independence in 1990. However, the IPC has expressed its intention to contest the election results, citing extensive irregularities.
The elections held on November 27 faced significant challenges, including delays due to logistical and technical issues such as a lack of ballot papers. These problems resulted in prolonged waiting times for voters, some of whom reportedly waited up to 12 hours, leading to frustration and abandonment of the voting process. The SWAPO party, which has maintained control of the country since 1990, has now achieved a landmark victory with Nandi-Ndaitwah, despite the protests from the opposition party regarding the electoral process.
In summary, the recent presidential elections in Namibia resulted in a contentious victory for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the SWAPO party, marking a historic moment as she becomes the nation’s first female president. Nevertheless, the opposition IPC has declared its refusal to accept the election results due to alleged irregularities, casting a shadow over the integrity of the electoral process. As Namibia moves forward, the ramifications of this disputed election will be closely examined.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
