AFRICA/NAMIBIA - A million voters to elect Head of State and Parliament

Windhoek (Agenzia Fides) – About one million Namibians are called to the polls today, 27 November, for the legislative elections and presidential elections. The challenge sees the electoral participation of 14 parties for 74 parliamentary seats, and 12 candidates for the Office of President. The polls will close tomorrow.
This is the fourth democratic elections since independence of Namibia in 1990. The outcome of the vote is taken for granted, with the almost certain victory of SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization) which has always been in power with an overwhelming majority. According to local observers, however, the Union for Democracy and Progress (RDB), a party born two years ago by a split in SWAPO, could get a good result. What seems certain is the confirmation of Hifikepunye Pohamba as leader of the SWAPO.
In a pastoral letter published in July (see Fides 17/7/2009), Namibian bishops called on voters to go to the polls, putting aside all forms of tribalism, to choose the leaders of the country on the basis of skills and plans and not on affiliations of identity (family, tribe, language, etc ...). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2009)