Namibians vote in presidential, national assembly elections

Harare(New Ziana)-Namibians voted on Wednesday in Presidential and National Assembly elections with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) calling for a peaceful poll.

President Hage Geingob is seeking a second and final term in office.

President Geingob, leader of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), is being contested by eight other candidates, including Esther Muinjangue of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) — the first woman to stand as a Presidential candidate in the history of Namibia, as well as a SWAPO member Panduleni Itula, who is running as an Independent.

In a tweet, SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Tax said: “As Namibians vote on 27 November 2019, SADC looks forward to a peaceful election that reflects the will of the people of Namibia. We urge all registered voters to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders democratically,” it said.

Dr Stergomena Tax urged Namibians to exercise their civic right and go out to vote.

“Sadc wishes the people of Namibia peaceful elections. I wish to call upon all Namibians to go and vote as they exercise their civic duty,” she said.

Dr Tax observed voting in the Khomas Region.

Zimbabwean Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri, who is chairing the SADC election Observation Mission observed the opening of a polling station and initial voting at Mandume Primary School in Katutura, Namibian capital, Windhoek

Voting started at 7 am and is expected to close at 9 pm.

In the last election held in 2014, President Geingob garnered a resounding 86,7 percent of the vote compared to 5 percent for Venaani, while the late leader of the RDP, Hidipo Hamutenya came third with 3,4 percent, and then NUDO candidate Asser Mbai with 1,9 percent.

According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia, total of 15 political parties are participating in the elections for the 104-member National Assembly.

New Ziana