Namibian court orders recount

2005-03-10 12:04

Windhoek - Namibia's high court on Thursday ordered a recount of ballots from the November parliamentary elections that were overwhelmingly won by the ruling Swapo party.

But Judge Petrus Damaseb refused to grant a request from two opposition parties that the November 15 and 16 elections should be declared null and void due to irregularities.

"For reasons to follow, we are satisfied that we should refuse the motion which asked us to declare the National Assembly elections of November 2004 null and void and set it aside," said Damaseb in his ruling.

He ordered that the recount begin no later than Monday and be completed by Sunday of next week, just one day ahead of the March 21 inauguration of President-elect Hifikepunye Pohamba, who will take over from veteran leader Sam Nujoma.

"The recount of the elections must commence within five calendar days of today's judgement and conclude no later than ten calendar days from the date of this order," said Damaseb.

The ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo) won 75.1% of the vote in the elections in the Southern African country, its third victory since Namibia's independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. - AFP

- SAPA