By Farai D Hove | Namibia’s recent presidential election, hailed as a historic moment with the election of the country’s first female leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was overshadowed by allegations of irregularities, logistical failures and accusations of interference foreign. What should have been a celebration of democratic progress has turned into a contentious political firestorm.

Expanded voting and missing ballots

The election, initially scheduled for one day, faced significant logistical challenges, including a widespread shortage of ballots and delays in delivery to key polling stations. Those problems forced election officials to extend voting by an unprecedented three days, ending only Saturday instead of Wednesday.

The decision to extend the vote sparked outrage among opposition parties, who called it unconstitutional and said it gave an unfair advantage to the ruling SWAPO party. Many voters reportedly waited in long lines only to be turned away due to lack of ballots. Some opposition leaders said the extensions allowed vote manipulation, casting doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.

Allegations of foreign interference

Adding to the controversy are details of foreign interference, with Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, orchestrating an elaborate plan to help SWAPO achieve victory. Documents in ZimEye’s possession show that at least 320 Zimbabweans were flown to Namibia to vote for SWAPO as part of an official ZANU-PF programme. The plan was reportedly designed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, sparking concerns about the influence of foreign governments over Namibia’s electoral process.

Political analysts have highlighted the close ties between SWAPO and ZANU-PF, two former liberation movements that have maintained political dominance in their respective countries for decades. Critics say such cross-border interference undermines democratic processes in southern Africa and could set a dangerous precedent for future elections in the region.

Opposition rejects results

Opposition parties, led by Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), rejected the results, calling the electoral process irregular. Itula, who received 25% of the presidential vote, has vowed to challenge the results in court. He accused the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) of failing to resolve logistical issues and of bias in favor of SWAPO.

Several opposition parties also boycotted the official announcement of the results, citing concerns over transparency. They say the transportation of foreign voters, extended voting periods and lack of ballot papers disenfranchised many Namibians and compromised the fairness of the elections.

SWAPO retains power

Despite the difficulties, SWAPO and Nandi-Ndaitwah emerged victorious, with the president-elect securing 57% of the vote. The ruling party also retained its majority in Parliament, avoiding the fate of other liberation movements in the region, such as the ANC in South Africa and the BDP in Botswana, whose support declined.

In a celebratory message, SWAPO said: “SWAPO wins. Netumbo wins. Namibia wins. Now work hard. The victory makes Nandi-Ndaitwah the first female president in Namibia’s history and a symbol of progress for women in leadership positions.

Divided nation and future challenges

Even if the election of Nandi-Ndaitwah constitutes a historic success, it comes in the context of a divided nation. Allegations of manipulation of Zimbabwean voters, coupled with opposition challenges to the results, threaten to overshadow his presidency. Namibia’s reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies is now under threat as many Namibians demand accountability and transparency.

As Namibia moves forward, the new administration faces the dual challenge of addressing governance challenges while unifying a deeply divided nation. It remains to be seen whether this historic moment will be remembered in terms of progress or controversy.