Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah wins Namibia’s Presidential election amid controversy

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the SWAPO Party of Namibia’s candidate, has been declared the winner of the country’s Presidential election held on December 3, securing over 57% of the vote. This victory positions her to become Namibia’s first female President following her inauguration, scheduled for March 21, 2025.

However, the opposition is contesting the results, calling for a fresh round of elections. Panduleni Itula, the main opposition candidate from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who garnered 26% of the vote, described the election process as “chaotic.” He cited logistical challenges, including shortages of ballot papers and technical issues, which prompted a three-day extension of polling in some areas.

Itula has urged the judiciary to annul the election results, accusing the ruling party of suppressing voters’ rights. “I call on opposition parties and citizens to unite against this suppression,” he stated.

The SWAPO Party of Namibia, which has ruled since the country’s independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, faces mounting scrutiny. The election controversy is seen as a critical test for the party’s long-standing dominance in Namibia’s political landscape.

Namibia, a nation with a population of approximately 3 million, has around half of its eligible citizens registered to vote. Opposition leaders and activists have until March to present their case for new elections before Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.

As the country waits for a resolution, the election results have sparked debates on the credibility of Namibia’s electoral system and the future of its democratic governance.