Voting underway in Namibia elections

  1. Posted on Friday 27 November 2009 - 10:30
    Sanday
    Image of Sanday
    Sanday Chongo Kabange AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    Voting is currently underway in Namibia,s several polling centres. Namibians vote in a top raced battle between incumbent President, Hifikepunye Pohamba of the governing South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) and former foreign minister, Hidipo Hamatenya, now leader of a break away party, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP).
    namibia map
    Voting started as early as 7:00am on Friday and political analysts say Pohamba is likely to secure his second term in office after he launched a massive campaign supported by state resources.

    Hordes of registered voters lined up at selected polling stations as early as 5:00am with hopes of casting their ballot as soon as the polling stations opened.

    Namibia, regarded as one of southern Africa’s most wealthy and democratic countries, is the fifth country to undergo presidential and parliamentary elections this year alone in southern Africa. It follows similar elections in South Africa, Malawi, Botswana and Mozambique.

    Twelve political parties are contesting this year’s elections but Pohamba’s SWAPO and Hamatenya’s RDP are top guns in the race.

    Hamutenya formed RDP after he lost his bid to succeed former SWAPO leader and President Sam Nujoma.

    Electoral authorities say all logistics have been put in place to ensure free, fair and transparent polls after two days of voting. Namibians in the diaspora have already cast their vote.

    No reports of violence have been reported so far.

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