Namibia may elect its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who leads with 58% of votes in a disputed election. Rival Panduleni Itula contests the results, alleging electoral malpractice. Swapo has governed since independence in 1990, facing scrutiny after regional trends show declining support for liberation parties.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, representing the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), is poised to become Namibia’s first female president following a recent contested election. With over 90% of the votes counted, she leads with 58% while her nearest competitor, Panduleni Itula, has garnered just 25%.
Despite Nandi-Ndaitwah’s lead, Itula’s party has expressed intentions to contest the results due to alleged electoral malpractice and logistical issues during the voting process. Complaints arose from the election commission’s decision to extend polling by three days in certain areas, prompting a refusal to recognize the results.
Swapo has held power since Namibia gained independence in 1990 after fighting against apartheid South Africa. Speculation surrounded the party’s ability to maintain power amid trends of declining support for liberation parties in the region, evidenced by the African National Congress’s loss of majority in South Africa and the fall of the Botswana Democratic Party.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a long-time party member and current vice-president, has served in high governmental roles for 25 years. If victorious, she will join Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan in the small group of female African presidents. A candidate must secure over 50% of the votes to avoid a second-round runoff.
Itula, a trained dentist representing the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), is recognized for his charisma, having previously reduced Swapo’s vote share from 87% to 56% in the last presidential election. The IPC has pledged to seek legal action regarding the election results and is urging those impacted by voting mismanagement to report to law enforcement.
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Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stands on the brink of becoming Namibia’s first female president, with initial vote counts in her favor. However, allegations from her opponent, Panduleni Itula, regarding election malpractice may complicate the final outcome. Swapo’s historical dominance since independence faces scrutiny amid regional electoral trends. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s potential win would place her among few female leaders in Africa.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
