Namibia Court Grants Opposition Parties Access to ...

Namibia Court Grants Opposition Parties Access to Election Data

Zim Now Writer

Two Namibian opposition parties secured a court order on Friday granting them access to inspect election materials following concerns over alleged irregularities in the country’s recent elections.

Namibia's ruling party, SWAPO, emerged victorious in the presidential and parliamentary elections held on November 27, continuing its 34-year dominance in the southern African nation. However, the Independent Patriots for Change, the largest opposition party, and the Landless People's Movement challenged the validity of the election results, citing extended voting periods and procedural flaws.

"There were clearly irregularities in the election. IPC seeks the information in order to determine the extent of the irregularities," the IPC stated in court documents reviewed by Reuters. The party also indicated it might pursue legal action to question the elections' validity.

Namibia’s electoral court has directed the electoral commission to provide the opposition parties with detailed election data, including the number of votes cast and counted at each polling station, for review. The commission has been ordered to deliver the materials by next week.

The elections were marred by logistical challenges, including ballot shortages and technical issues, leading to voting being extended by up to three days in some areas.

President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, set to become Namibia’s first female president when she takes office in March, dismissed claims of election irregularities.

“I am not even listening to those critics,” she said in her victory speech last week. The electoral commission also defended the process, describing the elections as free and fair.

The court's decision to allow access to the requested data marks a critical step for opposition parties as they evaluate their next moves regarding the election results.