Government wins - again

2005-03-17 08:56

Windhoek - A recount of Namibia's parliamentary elections ended on Wednesday with officials confirming the original results of the November polls, which handed victory to the ruling Swapo party by a landslide.

A court ordered the recount of the mid-November poll in the Southern African country after two opposition parties had complained of widespread irregularities.

"There were a number of problems and maybe some errors, but ... we are not perfect," Electoral Commission chairman Victor Tonchi told reporters.

The only substantial difference was some 1 000 extra votes won by the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), which has three seats in parliament, said elections director Philemon Kanime. It was not enough to make a difference in the party's representation, he added.

Opposition parties, among them the Republican Party and the Namibian Democratic Movement for Change, said they did not accept the results.

"We do not accept the results and we will take further action," said Republican Party president Henk Mudge.

Opposition parties said they would hold a press conference in the capital on Thursday to announce further action.

Under the court order, the recount had to be completed by Sunday, just one day ahead of the March 21 inauguration of President-elect Hifikepunye Pohamba, who will take over from veteran leader Sam Nujoma.

Nujoma's South West Africa People's Organisation won 75.1% of the vote, its third victory since Namibia's independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. - AFP

- SAPA