Namibia - November 2024

Namibia’s ruling party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) won the country’s general election, which was originally scheduled for 27 November but later extended in some areas to 30 November. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won the presidential election with 58.1 per cent of the popular vote, and SWAPO secured 51 of the 96 (53.1 per cent) directly elected seats in the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the country’s bicameral parliament. The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) came second, winning 20 seats, followed by Affirmative Repositioning (7 seats). Turnout for the presidential election was 76.1 per cent of registered voters (up from 60.8 per cent in 2019) and 75.7 per cent for the legislative contest (up from 60.4 per cent). Nandi-Ndaitwah was the only woman among the 15 presidential candidates and is set to become Namibia’s first female president. The election results, however, were disputed by opposition parties, who alleged several irregularities. In early December, they were reported to be preparing legal challenges. International election observers, while noting logistical problems and delays, concluded that the elections had been peaceful and conducted in accordance with Namibia’s legal framework.

Sources: Electoral Commission of Namibia (1), Electoral Commission of Namibia (2), International IDEA, The Conversation, The Windhoek Observer, Daily Maverick, African Union Election Observation Mission, SADC Electoral Observation Mission   

In late November, Namibians elected Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female president (and the first in Southern Africa). According to official results, Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is a member of the governing South West Africa Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) party, won 58.1 per cent of the popular vote and is due to be inaugurated on 21 March 2025. She currently serves as Namibia’s Vice-President and has previously held several ministerial positions.

Sources: Electoral Commission of Namibia, The Namibian, British Broadcasting Corporation, The Conversation

Voter turnout in Namibia’s presidential and parliamentary elections reached a two-decade high. According to data from the Electoral Commission of Namibia, 76.1 per cent of registered voters cast their ballot in the presidential election and the figure was slightly lower for the parliamentary poll (75.7 per cent). Compared to the previous general election in 2019 (when turnout for the presidential election was 60.8 per cent and for the parliamentary elections it was 60.4 per cent), these represent increases of 15.3 percentage points. Ninety-one per cent of eligible voters were registered to vote in the 2024 elections.    

Sources: Electoral Commission of Namibia (1), Electoral Commission of Namibia (2), International IDEA, The Namibian