Namibians returned to vote as polls reopen on Friday in 36 polling stations two days after a chaotic election, set to test the ruling party’s 34-year in power.
Tensions are said to be mounting in the stable and peaceful southern African nation where Wednesday’s election was marked by long delays due to technical problems and labelled a “sham” by the opposition.
Some people waited 12 hours in line to vote in presidential and legislative polls, billed as the toughest yet for the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party, in power since Namibia’s 1990 independence from South Africa.
Apart from the technical problems experienced on Wednesday, issues regarding tablets used to register voters and shortages of ballot papers also marred the election.
In some cases, torches used to show up invisible ink had run out of batteries and mobile voting teams had left areas with voters still in the queues, it said.
The electoral commission extended the vote for a second time, giving Namibians until Saturday evening to vote after facing criticism from both voters and parties.
In the capital Windhoek, at the only polling station picked to reopen, about 60 people showed up on Friday, including Kluivert Muuondjo who arrived at 4:30 am.
The 21-year-old student said he had waited in line until 11:00 pm on Wednesday but left before being able to vote as he had exams the next day.
The disarray led to angry complaints from opposition parties with some calling for a halt in the electoral process.
Opposition parties were scheduled to meet on Friday and issue a joint statement, according to Christine Aochamus who represents the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party.
Youth unemployment, enduring inequalities and the emergence of a generation born after independence are challenging support towards SWAPO which has ruled since 1990.
Its candidate, vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who could become the first woman to lead the country if elected, could face an unprecedented second round in the mineral rich country.
