Namibia’s presidential and legislative elections have been extended after technical failures and long delays caused frustration at polling stations.
Opposition leader Panduleni Itula urged voters to continue participating despite “irregularities” on the first day, which saw hours-long queues and ballot shortages.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) admitted to logistical failures, including overheating electronic tablets, and acknowledged voters’ frustration, with many abandoning the process.
The election troubles have sparked tensions as opposition parties, hoping to end SWAPO’s 34-year rule, accused the government of discouraging voters.
SWAPO candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces an unprecedented challenge from Itula, who could push the race to a second-round runoff.
Protests erupted, with demonstrators condemning the election process as unfair. “We get this chaos with only 1.5 million voters?” one frustrated voter said.
The chaotic election has drawn comparisons to recent disputed votes in neighboring Botswana and Mozambique.
