02 Dec 2019 | 10:43 AM UTC
Namibia: Incumbent wins November 27 presidential elections /update 1
Incumbent President Hage Geingob wins presidential election November 27; political gatherings possible over the near term
Event
Namibia's Electoral Commission announced on Sunday, December 1, that incumbent President Hage Geingob won the November 27 presidential election with 56 percent of the vote. In parliamentary elections, President Geingob's South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) party won 63 of the parliament's 96 seats. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the main opposition party, came in second, winning 16 seats. According to media sources, PDM's leader Mc Henry Venaani - who came in third position in the presidential vote (5.3 percent of the vote), after independent candidate Panduleni Itula (29 percent of the vote) - is considering appealing the election results due to perceived irregularities.
Political demonstrations and rallies are possible throughout the country in the coming days following the results. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are expected.
Advice
Individuals in Namibia are advised to monitor developments, avoid all public demonstrations and polling sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.