Namibia Prepares for Presidential Election on Nov. 27

Namibia is preparing for a significant presidential and parliamentary election on November 27, following the death of President Hage Geingob and the interim leadership of Nangolo Mbumba. This election could signify the first loss of power for the ruling SWAPO party, which has been in control since the country’s independence in 1990, amidst a decline in its popularity from 87% in 2014 to 56% in 2019. The main candidates include Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the first female presidential candidate from SWAPO; Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change, who previously garnered 29% of the vote in 2019; McHenry Venaani of the Popular Democratic Movement; Bernadus Swartbooi from the Landless People's Movement; and Job Amupanda of Affirmative Repositioning. The election will be overseen by Anne Makinda from Tanzania, leading the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM), which aims to ensure fair and democratic proceedings. Voters will need to ensure that candidates receive over 50% of the votes to win the presidency, adding to the stakes of this pivotal event in Namibia's political landscape.