For the first in the country’s post-independence history, Namibia has a female president-elect. Her name is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was the ruling Swapo Party’s presidential candidate in the just-ended elections. “Today, I’m saying to the Namibian people, as we have been telling you throughout the campaign, for us in the Swapo party and the team...
Elections
Opposition rejects results
Lahja Nashuuta Leaders of the Affirmative Repositioning, Rally for Democracy and Progress as well as the Popular Democratic Movement are all calling for a rerun of the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections. The three parties have described the elections as deeply flawed, citing logistical problems, a three-day voting extension at selected polling sites, and...
Elections hits and misses
Rudolf Gaiseb Political commentators say voters in the just-concluded elections sent a strong message to political parties that if they do not pull up their socks, their dominance will continue to evaporate or disappear completely. The 2024 Namibian elections witnessed a fierce fight of political parties trying to remain in Parliament, the fall of some,...
Over 30 000 votes rejected during general elections
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Elsie Nghikembua on Tuesday said a total of 14 552 votes were rejected in the just-concluded 2024 Presidential elections, representing 1.3% of the total votes cast. At the final official announcement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections results, the chairperson said 1 099 582 people had...
IPC wins in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) on Monday night emerged the leading party in the Swakopmund and Walvis Bay constituencies in the latest results from the 2024 general elections. The party secured 12 864 and 10 181 votes respectively in the two constituencies. Swapo meanwhile dominated the Outapi constituency with 17 659 votes, according to...
Presiding officer recounts tense moments
Edward Tenete A shortage of ballot papers and mounting frustrations among voters turned election day into a tense and challenging experience for presiding officer Rikambura Katjiuanjo at the Elisenheim Estate B polling station. “I was very scared,” Katjiuanjo said in an interview with Nampa, recalling the moment voters attempted to force their way into the...
Nghikembua: ECN learning from criticism
Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) chairperson, Elsie Nghikembua says although the commission had been receiving criticism in the last couple of days, lessons have been drawn from the experience. She was speaking during a media conference Monday night after announcing the latest results from the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. By late on Monday...
Unfriendly polling stations irk disabled voters
Lahja Nashuuta AMINIUS – Various voters with disabilities have taken a swipe at the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) over alleged unfriendly polling stations for their special needs. Several people with disabilities who spoke to this publication said it was a nightmare for them to access voting centres and cast their votes. This is because...
Drought drives Kunene voters to polls
KUNENE RIVER MOUTH – Persistent drought has become a critical factor which drove voters in the Kunene region to participate in this year’s elections. Many residents, particularly at the Kunene River Mouth and Opuwo Rural constituency, cited the ongoing food insecurity as their primary motivation to vote. Hitezeza Tjambiru, a farmer from Okakora, admitted that...
Amupanda: Elections not free and fair
Namibians across the country cast their votes in the general elections from 27 to 30 November, with partial results already being released. However, the aftermath has been marred by dissatisfaction from several political parties, including the Affirmative Repositioning (AR), led by Job Amupanda. At a media briefing yesterday, he expressed concern over the transparency and...