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Free and Fair Elections
HSF observes Namibian Presidential and National Assembly elections

In the effort to establish and maintain a system of free and fair elections, the Namibia Institute of Democracy (NID) in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) trained and designated a number of observers all over Namibia to observe the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

It is against this background that the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), a partner of NID, participated in the observer mission by sending two teams of observers, consisting of two people each to Kunene Region, Opuwo.

Amidst a variety of issues reported by the observers, including the logistical challenges of access to the polling stations for the voters and ECN officials, apparent lack of voter education and the long queues but to mention a few, the 2014 Presidential and National assembly were hailed as free and fair by the incumbent Namibian President, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, as well as the SADC observer and the European Delegation observer missions alike.

The SWAPO party has been the ruling party of Namibia since Independence and managed to maintain its position by clinching 87% = 77 seats in Parliament of the votes cast, whilst the DTA emerged as the official opposition at 4.9% = 5 seats in Parliament, ousting RDP with 3, 4% = 3 seats. The next President of Namibia will be sworn into office on 21 March 2015.

The role of the HSF in the elections as observers was indication that the HSF will continue to dedicate itself to positively contributing to a political, social and economically stable Namibia via its various projects and with the cooperation of its partners.

The observers were HSF Project Assistant, Ms. Rakkel Andreas, HSF Interns Mr. Puvitanda Kaputu and Mr. Phillip Heesen, as well as NID intern, Ms. Jeaneth Shapumba. The teams observed at both fixed and mobile polling stations.