PC: Esther Mbathera/AP
Voters waited in long queues outside polling stations in
Namibia's capital Windhoek on Wednesday morning to cast their ballots for a new
president and parliament in what could be a
tough election to win for the ruling SWAPO party.
SWAPO has governed the southern African nation since leading
it to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Its presidential
candidate, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, would be the country's first
female leader if she wins.
Political analysts said there is a possibility SWAPO will be
ousted by youth fed up with high unemployment, inequality, and corruption allegations,
although longstanding loyalty to the party among older and rural voters could
help it pull through.
Polls opened at 0700 local time (0500 GMT) but some voters
had been in place since the night before.
"I came here at 0630 (0430 GMT) but the queue was long.
Previously in 2019, I didn't experience this," said Tuna Alweendo, a
teacher.
"The majority of the young people feel like they want
to be involved in politics; they want to bring change to their country. Perhaps
that has motivated them to say, let's go out (and) vote," she said.
SWAPO's support fell to 56% in the 2019 presidential
election from 87% in 2014. To be elected president, a candidate must get more
than 50% of votes or there will be a run-off. Namibians vote separately for the
National Assembly.
Leading the pack of 14 opposition candidates is
dentist-turned-politician Panduleni Itula, who came in second in 2019.
Namibia is currently led by interim president Nangolo
Mbumba, who took over in February after former president Hage
Geingob died but is not running.
"The biggest challenge we have in this country now is
unemployment," said Nandi-Ndaitwah after casting her vote at a primary
school in Windhoek
"Our priority is job creation, particularly among our
youth," she said, blaming repeated droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic for
worsening the situation.
Namibia has seen relatively strong economic
growth in recent years driven by investments in oil, gas and green
hydrogen. But it ranks second highest in the world for income inequality,
according to World Bank figures.
About 1.4 million people are registered to vote in the sparsely populated country of around 3 million, according to the electoral commission. Results are expected within a few days.
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