Namibia’s Supreme Court has dismissed an election challenge from opposition parties regarding the presidential election, which clears the way for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party to take office next month. The court found the extension of voting days to be lawful, dismissing claims of election irregularities. The IPC, which placed second in the election, indicated it would accept the court’s decision.
WINDHOEK – The Supreme Court of Namibia has dismissed an election challenge presented by opposition parties regarding the presidential election held last year. This ruling enables the ruling SWAPO party’s Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to assume office next month without further delays. The SWAPO party has maintained governance in Namibia since gaining independence over three decades ago, and it claimed victory in both the presidential and parliamentary elections conducted in November.
Opposition parties raised claims that the election process was compromised, citing a prolonged voting period among other concerns. Chief Justice Peter Shivute ruled that the decision to extend the voting period was legal, thereby rejecting the challenge from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which secured second place in the election results. The IPC was formally supported in its challenge by the Landless People’s Movement, but their petitions were ultimately dismissed by the court.
Following the court’s ruling, IPC leader and presidential candidate Panduleni Itula acknowledged the verdict, expressing his party’s adherence to the judgement. “We are not going to the streets to demonstrate or anything like that,” Itula stated, conveying a commitment to respect the judicial outcome. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to be inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president on March 21.
In summary, Namibia’s Supreme Court has upheld the integrity of the recent presidential election, allowing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to proceed as the incoming president. Despite the opposition parties’ claims of election flaws, the court ruled the election’s processes legitimate. This decision reinforces SWAPO’s continued leadership within the nation as it moves toward an important political transition.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
