Namibia’s top opposition presidential candidate, Panduleni Itula, said his party would not recognise the results of a controversially extended election marred by chaos and allegations of foul play.
Speaking just before the close of polls on the final day of voting, Itula, whose Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) is hoping to end 34 years of rule by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), said that no matter the result, “the IPC shall not recognise the outcome of that election”.
“The rule of law has been grossly violated and we cannot call these elections by any means or measure as free, fair and legitimate,” said Itula, who finished second in the 2019 vote.
With just 10 of the country’s 121 constituencies counted, partial results showed SWAPO’s candidate, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, leading with 48 per cent of the vote, followed by Itula with 29 per cent.
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