Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is leading in the Namibian election, poised to become the first female president with over 58% of votes. However, her opponent Panduleni Itula is disputing the results, citing electoral malpractice. If successful, Nandi-Ndaitwah will join the ranks of Africa’s few female leaders, amidst significant political shifts in the region.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) is poised to become Namibia’s first female president, with over 90% of votes from the recent disputed election reported. According to the electoral commission, she has secured more than 58% of the votes, while her main opponent, Panduleni Itula, received just above 25%.
Itula has expressed that his party will not accept the results due to alleged electoral malpractice and logistical issues that resulted in an extension of polling in certain areas. Swapo has maintained power in Namibia since the country’s independence in 1990, having led the fight against apartheid South Africa.
The party’s dominance has faced scrutiny, as similar liberation parties in the region, such as South Africa’s African National Congress and Botswana’s Democratic Party, recently lost their longstanding hold on power. Nandi-Ndaitwah, currently serving as vice-president, has extensive experience in government roles spanning 25 years.
Should Nandi-Ndaitwah succeed, she would join Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as one of Africa’s few female presidents. To win the presidency outright, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes cast. In contrast, Itula, a trained dentist and charismatic leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), previously reduced Swapo’s majority in the 2019 election, with the party’s share dropping to 56%.
The IPC has announced plans to seek legal recourse in response to the election results and has advised individuals who experienced difficulties in voting due to electoral management issues to report their concerns to the police.
In summary, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is on track to become Namibia’s first female president amidst claims of electoral misconduct from her opponent, Panduleni Itula. The outcome of the election is significant, as it highlights both Swapo’s long-standing governance and the current challenges faced by liberation parties in Southern Africa. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s potential victory could also mark a notable advancement for women in leadership roles across the continent.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
