Namibia’s main opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), has announced its intention to legally challenge the results of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections held on November 27. The IPC claims that the elections were marred by irregularities and has been granted permission by the courts to inspect polling materials as it prepares its case.
The ruling South West Africa People’s Party (SWAPO), which has governed Namibia for 34 years, emerged victorious in both elections, securing another term in power. However, opposition parties, including the IPC, have alleged discrepancies in the electoral process, citing issues such as a shortage of ballot papers and technical failures that caused polling stations to remain open for up to three days in some areas.
Following a court ruling on Friday, the electoral commission has been ordered to provide the opposition parties with critical documentation by next week. This includes records of the number of votes cast and counted at each polling station. The IPC believes this data will substantiate its allegations of irregularities ahead of the main court hearing scheduled for December 23, where it plans to challenge the validity of the election results.
Despite the allegations, Namibia’s electoral commission has declared the elections free and fair, and the president-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has dismissed claims of a flawed process. Nandi-Ndaitwah, a veteran politician and SWAPO’s candidate, is set to take office in March 2025, becoming Namibia’s first female president.
The elections were closely watched as a test of Namibia’s democratic resilience. While SWAPO continues to maintain a stronghold on power, opposition parties argue that the process exposed flaws in the electoral system, undermining public confidence. The court case has added to political tensions in the country, as both sides await a legal resolution to the dispute.
As Namibia braces for the court’s findings, the outcome of the challenge could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s political landscape and trust in its democratic institutions.