Namibians vote in watershed elections

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Namibia flag

from AFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) MORE than 1 million Namibians are set to cast their ballots on Wednesday in a poll preceded by controversies including a factionalised ruling party, an international fishing scandal and candidates opposing the use of electronic voting machines.

Polls are however expected to be peaceful in one of the continent’s most stable nations.

Ten candidates, including incumbent Hage Geingob of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), are contesting the presidency.

The main opposition party, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) seeks to break the two-thirds majority in parliament that has been comfortably enjoyed by the ruling party SWAPO since independence in 1990.

McHenry Venaani, is leading the PDM.

He only managed 5 percent of the presidential votes in the last election.

Independent candidate, Dr Panduleni Itula, is also vying for the nation’s top job.

He is a member of SWAPO but opposed to Geingob’s leadership.

During the last elections, SWAPO won 80 percent of the parliamentary seating and Geingob won 86,7 percent of the votes.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia is expected to release the results on Friday.

– CAJ News

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