27 November 2009

Windhoek — "We have been here since four in the morning, my baby is tired," says Melisia Shinedhimha (24) outside the polling station in Okuruyangava, one of Windhoek's poorest townships.

Shinedhimha and other mothers sit in a circle around their sleeping infants and keep a weary eye on the queue that snakes past the building, through the gate and out onto the street.

At some polling stations people spent the night to make sure they could vote before work. Shinedhimha is lucky though, it only took eight hours of queuing for her to cast her ballot. Others had to wait longer.

"Sure you can stay at home, but what's the point? It won't get you a job. Voting keeps the politicians on their toes and might create employment."

Yes, she will probably vote for the ruling South-West African People's Organisation's (SWAPO) party, she says. But that doesn't mean everyone should. "We need a strong opposition, or SWAPO will abuse its power."

About a million Namibians - half the population - will flock to the 3,259 polling stations on November 27 and 28. Given the size of the country, the vast majority of polling stations are mobile moving from village to village. Helicopters and 4x4's will bring ballot boxes to areas cut off by rains.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba yesterday asked Namibians for "calm, peaceful and exemplary conduct," in the run up to an election that as been more controversial than normal. This is largely because the breakaway party, the Rally for Democracy and Progress, has divided SWAPO's constituency for the first time.

Controversy continued till election day when a court ruled that the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has to be admitted as an election observer. Earlier this week the Electoral Commission of Namibia stripped the NSHR of this status, because it had pointed out mistakes in the voter's roll. Mistakes found included instances of: double registration; the registration of voters after the official cut-off date; names being incorrectly struck off; and the registration of voters younger than 18 years.

Across town unemployed Loide Amadhila (33) just voted for the third time in her life. "SWAPO," she says with conviction, as she shows the coveted purple stain on her left thumb. "In 1998 they brought water to this township and in 2001 we got electricity. They put up a clinic and a school and now I hope they will bring many jobs."

Enok Injala (33) disagrees firmly. While official results will only be announced at the end of next week, Injala is strongly supporting the opposition. "I will be voting for change, definitely change," he nods. Also a third time voter, he awaits his turn, at ease in the burning sun. "It doesn't look like there will be violence today."

A shiny Toyota Prado spews out a team of election observers. "So far so good," confirms one observer from Nigeria. "This is the fourth polling station we are visiting and we haven't seen any irregularities or tensions. For us it is a learning experience, because Nigeria has elections in April 2011."

Red Cross volunteer Obed Geingob and his mates have their first aid kid at the ready since 7am, but also have little to do. Their biggest concern is the heat, not violence.

"A cut from sealing a ballot box is all the blood that was shed so far," Geingob grins.

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