Namibia Votes In Elections For A Second Day

The people of Namibia have been voting for a second and final day in presidential and parliamentary polls. Long queues of voters have been reported in densely populated areas. The first day of voting went smoothly in most areas, although two election officials were arrested for allegedly tampering with ballot boxes. Incumbent President Hifikepunye Pohamba and his party Swapo are being challenged by the Rally for Democracy and Progress led by Hidipo Hamutenya. Two years ago, this party broke away from Swapo, which has dominated Namibia's politics since the country gained independence in 1990 after a long struggle against rule by South Africa. There are 10 other presidential challengers. President Pohamba, seeking his second five-year term, was among the first to vote in the capital Windhoek on Friday. Also on Friday, a court ruled that the National Society for Human Rights must have its status as an election observer reinstated, hours after polls opened. The electoral commission had withdrawn the group's status days before the vote, saying it was not impartial. The NSHR has been extremely vocal in its criticism of the electoral commission. It says the voters' roll includes constituencies that have been listed twice, voters who have been listed twice and under-age people - a discrepancy of about 180,000 voters. The Electoral Commission of Namibia has rejected the allegations.