Namibia’s Supreme Court Upholds SWAPO Election Victory
Namibia’s Supreme Court has dismissed an opposition challenge against last year’s presidential election, affirming the ruling SWAPO party’s victory. Chief Justice Peter Shivute ruled the election extension was lawful, facilitating Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s upcoming inauguration as the first female president. The IPC’s Panduleni Itula stated his party accepts the court’s decision without protests.
On Friday, Namibia’s Supreme Court dismissed an electoral challenge from opposition parties regarding last year’s presidential election. This ruling facilitates the ascension of ruling party member Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to the presidency next month. The SWAPO party has been in power for over thirty years and secured victories in both the presidential and parliamentary elections held in November.
Opposition factions, particularly the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement, claimed electoral flaws, citing the extension of the voting period as problematic. Chief Justice Peter Shivute confirmed that the voting extension was lawful and rejected the challenge. “Their challenge to the outcome for the 2024 presidential election … fails,” stated Justice Shivute.
Panduleni Itula, leader of the IPC and former presidential candidate, announced that his party would respect the Supreme Court’s decision. He affirmed, “We are not going to the streets to demonstrate or anything like that.” Nandi-Ndaitwah is scheduled to be inaugurated as Namibia’s first female president on March 21.
The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision reinforces the SWAPO party’s longstanding grip on power in Namibia, dismissing significant electoral challenges from opposition groups. The resolution facilitates a smooth transition of power to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, marking a historic moment as she prepares to become the country’s first female president. The opposition’s choice to refrain from protests suggests a tempered response to the court’s ruling.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
