Two Namibian opposition parties, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), have secured a court order allowing them to inspect election materials following last month’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
The elections, held on November 27, saw the ruling SWAPO party extend its 34-year dominance, with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah declared the president-elect. However, opposition groups allege significant irregularities, citing extended voting periods and logistical challenges as causes for concern.
The IPC, Namibia’s largest opposition party, stated in its court filing that the inspection of election data is crucial to assess the extent of the alleged irregularities and determine whether to challenge the election results formally.
Namibia’s electoral court has instructed the Electoral Commission of Namibia to provide detailed voting records, including the number of votes cast and counted at each polling station over the extended voting days. The commission has been ordered to produce the requested materials by next week.
The elections were marked by issues such as ballot paper shortages and technical glitches, which caused voting to be extended for up to three days in some areas.
In her victory speech, President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah dismissed the allegations, stating, “I am not even listening to those critics.” The Electoral Commission of Namibia has maintained that the elections were conducted freely and fairly.
Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to make history in March 2024 as Namibia’s first female president, despite the ongoing legal contestations.
