Namibia’s High Court has rejected the opposition’s objection to last year’s presidential election, confirming that President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will take office on March 21.
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), backed by the Landless People’s Movement, had challenged the election results, citing irregularities such as the extension of the voting period due to technical faults in the election machines. However, Chief Justice Peter Shivute ruled that the extension was legal and dismissed the appeal, declaring the election result valid.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is set to become Namibia’s first female president. Her victory, which saw her win with 57.31% of the vote against 14 other candidates, ensures the continued rule of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which has governed Namibia since independence from Germany in 1990. The swearing-in ceremony will coincide with the country’s 35th independence anniversary.