WINDHOEK, Nov 27 – Namibians turned out in large numbers on Wednesday to elect a new president and parliament in one of the most competitive elections since independence in 1990. Long queues formed outside polling stations in Windhoek as voters cast their ballots, with the ruling SWAPO party facing unprecedented pressure.
SWAPO’s presidential candidate, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, could make history as Namibia’s first female leader. However, the party is contending with growing dissatisfaction, particularly among young voters, over unemployment, inequality, and corruption allegations. Analysts believe this could challenge SWAPO’s hold on power, although older and rural voters may help the party retain its position.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), with some voters arriving hours earlier. Tuna Alweendo, a teacher, said she had not seen such turnout before. “I got here at 6:30, but the line was already long. It seems young people want to bring change and are eager to vote,” she said.
SWAPO’s dominance has been waning, with its support dropping to 56% in the 2019 presidential election from 87% in 2014. A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off. Namibians are also voting for members of the National Assembly in a separate election.
Leading the opposition is Panduleni Itula, a dentist-turned-politician who placed second in the 2019 presidential race. Interim President Nangolo Mbumba, who assumed office in February after the death of former President Hage Geingob, is not contesting the election.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, voting at a school in Windhoek, pointed to unemployment as the nation’s most urgent issue. “Our focus is on job creation, especially for the youth,” she said, blaming droughts and the pandemic for exacerbating the economic situation.
Namibia has seen economic growth through investments in oil, gas, and green hydrogen. However, it ranks second globally in income inequality, according to the World Bank.
The electoral commission reports that around 1.4 million people are registered to vote in the nation of 3 million. Results are expected in the coming days.
