By 
NAMIBIA – Voters waited in long queues outside polling stations in Namibia’s capital Windhoek on Wednesday morning to cast their ballots for a new president and parliament in what could be a tough election to win for the ruling SWAPO party.
SWAPO had governed Namibia since leading it to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
Its presidential candidate, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, would be the country’s first female leader if she wins.
According to the Straits Times, political analysts said there was a possibility SWAPO would be ousted by youth fed up with high unemployment, inequality and corruption allegations, although longstanding loyalty to the party among older and rural voters could help it pull through.
Polls opened at 0700 local time (0500 GMT) but some voters had been in place since the night before.
“I came here at 0630 (0430 GMT) but the queue was long. Previously in 2019 I didn’t experience this,” said Tuna Alweendo, a teacher.
“The majority of the young people feel like they want to be involved in politics, they want to bring change to their country. Perhaps that has motivated them to say, let’s go out (and) vote,” she said.
SWAPO’s support fell to 56 percent in the 2019 presidential election from 87 percent in 2014.
To be elected president, a candidate must get more than 50 percent of votes or there will be a run-off.
Namibians vote separately for the National Assembly.
Leading the pack of 14 opposition candidates was dentist-turned-politician, Panduleni Itula, who came in second in 2019.
Namibia is currently led by interim president Nangolo Mbumba, who took over in February after former president Hage Geingob died but is not running.
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