Namibia appears on track to elect its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as the governing SWAPO party candidate leads with 54.82% of the vote after 65.57% of ballots have been counted. Despite this lead, a runoff may be required if she fails to secure over 50% of the total votes. Delays caused by ballot shortages and logistical challenges saw voting extended until November 30, leading opposition parties to label the election fraudulent. They have also promised to challenge the results in court, citing a violation of the rule of law. Meanwhile, Namibia’s election commission reported a 73% voter turnout among 1.5 million registered voters. While SWAPO has dominated the country since securing independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, dissatisfaction over youth unemployment and inequality has grown, leading analysts to predict a hotly contested election. The rest of the results are expected later this week.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
