Zimbabwean poll interference claims rejected

President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has denied allegations that Zimbabwe influenced Namibia's recent poll. Five Namibian political parties last accused the ruling Zanu-PF of having influencing Namibia's disputed presidential and National Assembly elections. The Namibian reports that they did not provide proof of the interference, but each raised concerns about Zanu-PF's role in allegedly helping Swapo retain power. LPM leader Ivan Skrywer says polling stations running out of ballot papers was a tactic previously used by Zanu-PF to ‘steal’ elections in Zimbabwe. ‘If we look at the election results in Zimbabwe last year, this was the tactic used on day one: Polling stations ran out of ballot papers and President Emmerson Mnangagwa had to extend (the elections) by one day,’ he said. IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge says it is indisputable that Zanu-PF played a role in Namibia's elections. Nashinge accused Mnangagwa's spokesperson, George Charamba, of prematurely announcing that Swapo had won the elections on social media. ‘How do they know? Is Namibia a province of Zimbabwe? Since when has Zimbabwe had so much interest in our affairs?’ he asked. The elections were marred by a shortage of ballot papers and overheating electronic tablets, leaving citizens standing in queues for hours unable to vote.

Full report in The Namibian