The Hindu : International : Smooth voting in Namibia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 16, 2004

International

International

Smooth voting in Namibia

WINDHOEK (Namibia): Namibians voted on Monday to choose a successor to the only leader they have ever known, and election officials said the first of two days of voting for the President and Parliament started smoothly. The Namibian President, Sam Nujoma, who led a 23-year independence war against neighbouring South Africa, is retiring after 14 years as President, and most observers expect his hand-picked successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba, to score an easy victory. Most polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time, although some opened late, said the Electoral Commission director, Philemon Kanime, adding that voting was running smoothly. Namibians vote on Monday and Tuesday. Results are not expected until Friday. Hundreds of people, some carrying umbrellas to ward off threatening rain, lined up at polling stations across the capital. Nine parties are fielding presidential candidates, but none are expected to pose much of a threat to Mr. Pohamba, who has the backing of Mr. Nujoma's South West Africa People's Organisation.

— AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Abbas calls security meet amid fears of lawlessness

Despair, hope among Palestinian diaspora

U.S. air raids kill 20 Iraq militants

Differences among Republicans on posts

African leaders back curbs on rebels, Ivory Coast regime

Smooth voting in Namibia

Adopt a lab monkey

Between readers and scrollers

Ulster group renounces violence

No progress in talks: Koizumi

Tests to solve Pharaoh mystery

U.K. admits it knew of coup attempt