Spread This NewsBy BBC  VOTES are being counted in Namibia in what could be the most competitive election since independence from white-ruled South Africa 34 years ago. The poll was marred by logistical issues with voting continuing for an unscheduled second day on Thursday in some areas.

Namibia's SWAPO, in power since 1990, may see a decline in Wednesday's elections but faces no imminent collapse.Across southern Africa, support for long-standing ruling parties has dwindled over the past year.

Namibia's top opposition presidential candidate, Panduleni Itula, said Saturday that his party would not recognise the results of a controversially extended election marred by chaos and allegations of foul play.

A woman who joined Namibia’s independence movement in the 1970s is a strong contender to become its first female leader as the country votes in a presidential election.

Namibia’s main opposition party has said it will not recognise results from this week’s general election, where there have been logistical problems and voting was extended in several places. In a statement on Saturday,

Early results from Namibia’s elections show the ruling party is on track to maintain its almost 35-year grip on power in the sparsely populated southwest African nation.

Namibia's top opposition presidential candidate, Panduleni Itula, said Saturday that his party would not recognize the results of a controversially extended election marred by chaos and allegations of foul play.

Namibians voted Saturday on the last day of a controversially extended election with partial results expected after poll chaos and allegations of foul play. Electoral authorities prolonged voting until Saturday in presidential and legislative polls,