Election turmoil has erupted in Namibia as opposition parties demand an immediate halt to ongoing voting, citing significant irregularities and extended polling hours due to high turnout. Allegations of electronic malfunctions and ballot shortages have heightened tensions, with the electoral commission’s decision to keep polls open indefinitely criticized as a “sham election.” Amidst calls for change, leading candidates include Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah from the ruling party and Panduleni Itula from the IPC, as the nation’s political stability hangs in the balance.
Election Chaos in Namibia: Opposition Calls for Vote Suspension
The political landscape in Namibia has become increasingly turbulent as opposition parties demand the suspension of ongoing elections. This call came on Thursday, as many opposition figures reported that voting was still taking place past the designated closing time, which was set for the previous evening.
In a dramatic decision made on Wednesday evening, the electoral commission extended the voting period indefinitely for the presidential and legislative elections due to overwhelming voter turnout and long queues at polling stations. Originally scheduled to conclude at 9:00 PM (7:00 PM GMT), the extension has contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding what could be the most closely contested election since Namibia gained independence in 1990.
Extended Voting and Allegations of Irregularities
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the candidate from the ruling party, is hoping to become Namibia’s first female president, but analysts suggest she may face an unprecedented runoff due to the election’s unpredictable nature. Christine Aochamus, the secretary-general of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), confirmed on Thursday that several polling stations were still open for voting.
Representing 19 of the 20 opposition parties, Aochamus gathered with her colleagues at the electoral commission to call for an immediate halt to both the vote counting and ongoing voting operations, citing irregularities such as electronic malfunctions and ballot shortages, which resulted in wait times of up to twelve hours. The IPC accused the commission of attempting to deter voters intentionally.
Despite the chaos, the electoral commission ordered polling stations to continue operations indefinitely, a move the opposition labeled as a “sham election” conducted without proper authorization. Early Thursday morning, Siluka De Wet, a spokesperson for the commission, confirmed that voting was still occurring in various locations.
As the opposition awaited a promised meeting with the commission to discuss the election aftermath, tensions flared when the secretary-general of Swapo, the ruling party, was seen meeting with commission officials in view of opposition members. This scene sparked unusual unrest in a country known for its peaceful democratic processes.
At the University of Science and Technology in Windhoek, voting concluded at 5:00 AM, with poll workers tirelessly counting ballots after an exhausting night. Voter enthusiasm remained high, with many determined to make their voices heard in a system that many feel has let them down.
As voters expressed their frustration over the lengthy wait times and logistical failures, including ballot shortages, they conveyed a strong desire for change. Professor Ndumba Kamwanyah from the University of Namibia noted that the significant turnout indicated a yearning for transformation that could spell trouble for the ruling party.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a veteran of the liberation struggle, is competing against the former dentist and IPC founder Panduleni Itula, who previously captured 29.4% of the votes in the 2019 presidential election without a party affiliation. The ruling Swapo party faces challenges from widespread unemployment, persistent inequality, and demands for generational change, which have eroded its support in a nation rich in uranium resources.
After three decades of governance by Swapo, a movement rooted in the fight against apartheid, Namibia is now categorized as the second most unequal country in the world, according to the World Bank. The ruling party may find itself facing a fate similar to other regional liberation movements that have faltered, such as the ANC in South Africa or the BDP in Botswana.