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WINDHOEK. — Namibians from across the country patiently waited in long queues at various polling stations to cast their votes in the 8th Presidential and National Assembly elections on Wednesday

Determined to vote for their preferred candidates, some Namibians were already up as early as 4am to ensure they get a place at the head of the queue, and be the first to cast their votes. Some people stayed on at the polling stations even after casting their votes until the closing time to ensure their vote was counted and voice heard.

The counting of votes started after the closing of the voting at 19h00. The Electoral Commission of Namibia registered 1.4 million eligible voters, including the young, some of them first-time voters, and the old.

Members of the uniformed forces and fisheries sector employees as well as those in Namibia’s foreign missions started the voting process when 10 000 voted in a Special Vote held on 13 November 2024.

The special vote allowed registered voters who could not vote at their voting stations yesterday due to essential work commitments, to cast their vote. However, there were some essential service providers, like journalists, who could not be at their voting stations because they had to cover proceedings at the elections. Namibian art and crafts

The have urged the authorities to include them in the special voting day in future elections. We bring you some of the scenes at different polling stations as they unfolded yesterday.

A total of 15 presidential candidates and 21 political parties vying for leadership.

According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia, nearly 1,45 million eligible voters are registered either domestically or at Namibian diplomatic missions abroad.

Across the country’s 121 constituencies, polling stations opened at 7am and  closed at 9pm.

Among the prominent presidential candidates are Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), Bernadus Swartbooi of the Landless People’s Movement, and Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change.

SWAPO has been Namibia’s ruling party since the nation gained independence in 1990. In the 2019 elections, the late President Hage Geingob led SWAPO to victory, securing over 56 percent of the National Assembly vote.

Dawned in her famous doek and African attire, the forever calm and composed Nandi-Ndaitwah struck a confident tone from the Emma Hoogenhout Primary School in the Windhoek West constituency where she voted.

The veteran politician framed Namibia’s burgeoning oil and gas sector as a potential game-changer.

“Namibia’s resources belong to Namibians, and must be shared prudently while maintaining an investor-friendly environment,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaiwath called for foreign direct investment, but insisted on laws which balance benefits for Namibians and investors alike. She was accompanied by her husband, retired army general Denga Ndaitwah, and Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa.

Shortly after casting her vote, the optimistic Nandi-Ndaitwah told journalists she wanted to encourage eligible voters to go out in their numbers and vote.

“This is meant to allow each and every voter to make their way to the nearest polling station. As the vice president, I am also echoing what the president has said by calling on all Namibians who have registered to come out in their numbers and vote. It is not just your constitutional responsibility; it is also your national responsibility, because naturally, you have a responsibility over yourself and others around you.

“Through voting, you are making your voice heard, and you will have an impact on your life and the life of every Namibian for the next five years,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.

Namibians eagerly await the results, which will shape the country’s political landscape for the next five years. – Xinhua/New Era.