Namibians were waiting to vote at a polling station in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 27, 2019. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
The African Union says Namibia's Nov. 27 general elections, which saw incumbent Namibian President Hage Geingob win a second five-year term, complied with national laws and were in accordance with international standards.
ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's general elections were conducted in compliance with the national laws of the country and in accordance with international standards, the African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) has disclosed.
"The AUEOM congratulates the government and people of Namibia for the conduct of a peaceful General Election," the AUEOM said in a preliminary statement after the southern African nation held general elections on Nov. 27, which saw incumbent Namibian President Hage Geingob win a second five-year term with 56.3 percent of the votes.
"Based on its observations and the findings, the AUEOM concludes that the November 27 General Elections were conducted in compliance with the national laws of the country and in accordance with international standards. The elections afforded Namibians the opportunity to freely express their will," the statement read.
Namibians were waiting to vote at a polling station in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 27, 2019. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
The AUEOM also commended the Namibian government for ratifying the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance as recommended by the 55-member pan African bloc following the 2014 general elections.
The observers mission had visited a total of 107 polling stations where they observed opening, voting, closing and counting procedures, of which 75 percent of stations visited were in urban areas while the remaining were in rural areas.
"The AUEOM observed that the polling environment was peaceful and calm throughout the day. Security agents were present throughout the day and their conduct was described as professional and discreet," the statement read.
It also noted that "results were released according to procedures. Party agents were provided with the results form to sign and copies of the results were posted at the polling station." ■
