Namibia extends voting after logistical issues as voters wait in long queues
By Amina Wako |
SWAPO candidate and current vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah could become Namibia’s first female president,
Logistical issues that left voters in lengthy queues and also raised allegations of electoral mismanagement have overshadowed Namibia's general election, which could usher in the country's first female president.
Polling stations were set to close at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Wednesday, but voting continued well into Thursday morning at some locations. At the University of Science and Technology in Windhoek, voting concluded at 5:00 am, polling officers confirmed.
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“Some people were still voting,” Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) spokesperson Siluka De Wet told AFP.
The ECN responded to widespread criticism by extending voting hours, but the delays led to frustration among voters and accusations of foul play by opposition parties.
Many voters endured waits of up to 12 hours, citing technical problems with voter identification tablets and inadequate ballot paper supplies.
Armed with umbrellas and folding chairs to shield themselves from the scorching sun, determined Namibians waited for their turn to cast their ballots.
Polling site managers reported that the tablets used to verify voter identities faced issues ranging from overheating and untimely updates to dead batteries.
Namibia's Vice President and SWAPO presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah gestures after casting her vote in Windhoek on November 27, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Noah Tjijenda)
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the main opposition party, accused the ECN of deliberately frustrating voters.
“We have reason to believe that the ECN is deliberately suppressing voters,” said IPC spokesperson Christine Aochamus.
South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) candidate and current vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who could become Namibia’s first female president, urged voters to remain steadfast.
“I call on all registered Namibians to come out in their numbers,” she said after casting her vote.
SWAPO has governed Namibia since its independence in 1990, but this election marks its toughest challenge yet. Rising unemployment, particularly among youth, and complaints about economic inequality have fuelled dissatisfaction.
“Mining is a major industry here, but its wealth hasn’t translated into better infrastructure or job opportunities,” said independent political analyst Marisa Lourenco.
Youth unemployment stands at a staggering 46 per cent, nearly triple the national average, according to 2018 figures.
Opposition leader Panduleni Itula of the IPC remains optimistic.
“I believe we can unseat the revolutionary movement,” he said.
Analysts anticipate the first-ever second voting round in Namibia's electoral history by Saturday.
If required, the runoff will take place within 60 days of the initial results.
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