Namibia’s Supreme Court Upholds Presidential Election Results

Namibia’s Supreme Court on Friday rejected an opposition challenge to last year’s presidential election, paving the way for ruling party candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to take office next month.

The South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which has governed Namibia for over three decades, secured victory in both the presidential and parliamentary elections in November. Opposition parties contested the results, citing concerns over extended voting periods and other alleged irregularities.

Chief Justice Peter Shivute ruled that the extension of voting was lawful and dismissed the case brought by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which finished second in the polls. The Landless People’s Movement joined the IPC in its legal challenge. “Their challenge to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election … fails,” Shivute said.

IPC leader and former presidential candidate Panduleni Itula said his party accepted the ruling. “We are not going to the streets to demonstrate or anything like that,” Itula stated. Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to be sworn in as Namibia’s first female president on March 21.

Reuters/Patience Ameh Patience