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| Namibia holds elections November
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Windhoek, Namibia (PANA) -
Namibia goes to the polls on 27-28 November 2009 to c
hoose parliamentary representatives and president,
an election which observers have already tipped the ruling Swapo party to win.
Officially announcing the elections date, Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)
said the polls would be held over two days, and that
Namibians living abroad would cast their votes on 13 and 23 November at registra
tion and voting points which have been set up in various
countries outside Namibia.
Sea going personnel will also vote on 13 November, the ECN said.
The electoral body also announced that 19 October was the last day for nominatio
ns of party and independent candidates for the presidential
poll as well as for parliament.
The ECN said this yearâ?s election was different from previous ones as counting
of votes would be conducted at the polling stations, with results
being displayed at the various polling centres.
About 13 political parties are expected to contest this yearâ?s parliamentary a
nd presidential poll.
Observers however see the election as a two-horse race pitting ruling Swapo part
y and main opposition Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP),
which was formed by disgruntled former members of Swapo.
Opposition political parties are citing rising unemployment, lack of delivery on
education, grinding poverty amongst the majority of Namibians and a
general discontentment among the population reeling from the effects of the glob
al economic downturn as some of the failures of the Swapo-led government.
The ruling party, which has put forward President Hifikepunye Pohamba as its can
didate for the coming election, is also accused of sweeping corruption under
the carpet.
Swapo, which enjoys countrywide support, has said it will launch its official ca
mpaign on Saturday.
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| Windhoek - 02/09/2009 |
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