Namibia votes for new President and Parliament

Polls have opened in presidential and parliamentary elections in the south west African nation of Namibia. About 1.2 million Namibians, about half the population, are eligible to vote in the elections at several thousand polling stations, which are using electronic voting machines – a first for Africa, instead of the old ballot paper system. Sixteen political parties and nine presidential candidates are on the race, the final results are expected within 24 hours of the 9 p.m. (0400 EST) close of voting.

According to the latest opinion polls ahead of the voting, the ruling party, the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) has enjoyed a comfortable lead and is expected to win the elections.

The presidential candidate of the SWAPO party is Prime Minister Hage Geingob, who campaigned for independence decades ago at the United Nations. If elected, he would succeed President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who is stepping down after serving two five-year terms.

Namibia enjoys political stability and benefits from major diamond and uranium reserves as well as revenue from tourists drawn to its stark landscapes. The country is on track to becoming the world’s second-largest uranium producer after Kazakhstan with the construction of its Husab mine. The mine is expected to start production in the second half of next year.

Namibia has been one of the world’s best performing economies and growth is forecast to rise to 5 percent in 2014 from 4.4 percent last year. But lower metal prices, especially for key export uranium, poses a risk, according to Namibia’s central bank.

Source: AP, Reuters