Namibia has elected its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, marking a moment in the country's political history.
The announcement came when the Electoral Commission declared that Nandi-Ndaitwah secured over 57 percent of the vote. Her main opponent, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 25.5 percent.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, a seasoned politician from the ruling SWAPO party, is known for her commitment to "economic diplomacy."
During her campaign, she emphasized job creation through attracting investment, a crucial promise given Namibia's high youth unemployment rate, which stands at 46 percent.
Recognizable by her gold-framed glasses and often seen in the colors of SWAPO and the national flag, Nandi-Ndaitwah's victory is not just a personal achievement but a historic milestone for Namibia. However, the election was not without controversy.
The IPC has rejected the results, citing "a multitude of irregularities." Panduleni Itula stated, "The IPC shall not recognize the outcome of that election," and pledged to challenge the results through Namibia’s electoral processes.
The election faced logistical challenges, including a shortage of ballot papers and technical issues with electronic tablets used for voter registration, leading to long delays at polling stations.
Despite these challenges, nearly 77 percent of registered voters
cast their ballots, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia.
Observers from an organization of southern African human rights lawyers noted that the delays appeared deliberate and widespread.
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