Elections Blog - Namibia voted on November 27 and 28

The court challenge by the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) and eight other opposition parties regarding the election results was postponed this morning (Friday) until Tuesday December 22 at 12h00, apparently to give the government attorneys more time to look at the complainants' arguments.

Citing “serious irregularities” nine of the political parties that contested November’s Presidential and National Assembly elections have approached the High Court to have the recent election results independently audited.

The nine parties’ application will be heard in the High Court on Friday, December 18, on an urgent basis.

The RDP and its co-complainants have 30 days from December 4 2009 (when the official results were announced) to lodge their case against the election result. Thereafter the court should resolve the matter within 60 days.

The RDP has issued a statement (see below). It doesn't say much, but it does seem we can expect a court case in the next week.

There will be 19 new faces in the National Assembly, i.e people who have not served in parliament before. Will they add value to debates?

Swapo, UDF, APP, RP, COD, Swanu all gained a seat each from the highest remainder formula (see schedule 4 of the Constitution below).

The curse of small parties:

16 women among the 72 MPs. 15 on the Swapo benches and one (Agnes Limbo of RDP) on the opposition benches. That's 22%, siginficantly down on the previous NA, and a long way from the SADC target of 50% by 2015.

Final result for National Assembly election

Final result for Presidential election