Namibian Court Grants Opposition Access to Election Data Amid Fraud Allegations
Namibia’s Electoral Court has given permission for two opposition parties – the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and the Landless People’s Movement – to inspect electoral materials after claiming irregularities in the November 27 elections. The ruling SWAPO party won both the presidential and parliamentary elections, extending its 34-year dominance. However, the opposition claimed the electoral process was flawed, citing the country’s electoral commission extending the voting deadline due to a shortage of ballots and technical challenges. The IPC said access to the requested data, including the number of votes cast and vote counts for each polling unit, would help them assess the alleged irregularities. It will therefore inform their decision whether to challenge the validity of the election. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission insisted the election was free and fair. President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndetwa also dismissed the accusations, saying she was not paying attention to her critics.
source: Reuters
