Namibians were still casting their votes early Thursday, hours after polls were originally set to close in a presidential and parliamentary election that could challenge the ruling SWAPO party’s 34-year hold on power.
Logistical challenges caused significant delays, leaving many voters waiting long past the scheduled closing time of 9 PM on Wednesday. While ballot counting had begun at some stations, voting continued at others. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) extended voting hours in response to mounting criticism from voters and opposition parties over the disorganized process.
“Some people were still voting this morning,” said ECN spokesperson Siluka De Wet on Thursday. At the Namibia University of Science and Technology in Windhoek, polling reportedly ended at 5 AM, according to officials.
The election could potentially usher in the country’s first female president. SWAPO’s candidate, current Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, encouraged the 1.5 million registered voters to participate, urging them to “come out in their numbers.” However, the party faces unprecedented competition amid growing public dissatisfaction.
Many voters endured long waits, with some spending up to 12 hours in line due to technical issues, including faulty voter identification tablets and shortages of ballot papers. “It’s absolutely disappointing,” said Reagan Cooper, a 43-year-old farmer. “The voters showed up, but the electoral commission has failed us.”
To cope with the lengthy queues and intense heat, voters brought folding chairs and umbrellas. Officials cited problems with electronic devices, such as overheating and battery failures, as a major source of the delays.
The main opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), accused the ECN of voter suppression. “We believe the ECN is deliberately frustrating voters to prevent them from casting their ballots,” said Christine Aochamus, an IPC representative.
This election marks the most significant challenge to SWAPO’s dominance since Namibia gained independence in 1990.
Dissatisfaction with unemployment and persistent inequality could lead to an unprecedented runoff if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote.
Early results are expected by Saturday, and a second round, if required, would occur within 60 days.
Panduleni Itula, IPC’s leader and a former dentist, expressed optimism about unseating SWAPO, calling this election a turning point. Analysts suggest that a runoff is a realistic possibility for the first time in Namibia’s history.
Despite being a major exporter of uranium and diamonds, Namibia’s economic wealth has not translated into significant benefits for its population of nearly three million. High youth unemployment, estimated at 46%, has fueled frustration, particularly among younger voters.
“There’s a lot of mining activity in Namibia, but it doesn’t lead to improved infrastructure or job creation,” said political analyst Marisa Lourenco. “This discontent, especially among the youth, is driving the demand for change.”
