Namibia’s Supreme Court rejected a challenge from the IPC to invalidate the 2024 presidential election results, affirming the legality of a voting extension authorized by President Nangolo Mbumba. SWAPO won the election, and IPC leader Panduleni Itula accepted the ruling, urging political unity despite ongoing concerns about electoral integrity. The court required both parties to share legal costs, highlighting the need for stability amid political disputes.
On Friday, Namibia’s Supreme Court dismissed a challenge from the main opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), to nullify the results of the 2024 presidential election, which concluded after two extensions of voting. The IPC contends that the election results, favoring the ruling SWAPO party, should be voided due to procedural irregularities, particularly regarding the authority of President Nangolo Mbumba in extending the voting period in certain areas.
President Mbumba extended the voting period on the advice of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) due to significant logistical issues and long queues at polling places. Chief Justice Peter Shivute confirmed the legality of the extension while clarifying that it served to facilitate voting rather than initiate a new election. The ruling SWAPO party secured 57 percent of the votes, setting the stage for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to become Namibia’s first female president.
Panduleni Itula, the IPC’s presidential candidate who garnered 25.5 percent of the vote, accepted the court’s ruling, urging the public to move forward and refrain from incessant blame. He emphasized the importance of recognizing constitutional authority in governing processes. Additionally, the court mandated that both parties incur shared costs for the legal proceedings surrounding the case.
Henning Melber, a Namibia expert, noted that while the ruling prioritized political stability, it did not entirely resolve questions regarding election validity. He remarked that had voting been extended universally, concerns about the outcome would have been severely diminished. The court’s decision reflects an attempt to foster peace amidst ongoing political contention regarding the election results.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the IPC’s bid to annul the presidential election results highlights ongoing tensions in Namibian politics. The court upheld the legality of the voting extension, affirming the authority of both the ECN and the president. While some, like Itula, advocate moving forward, lingering doubts regarding the electoral process may persist, calling for continued assessment of Namibia’s democratic practices.
Original Source: www.jacarandafm.com
