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Abstract

Namibia's accession to independence in 1990 culminated in the holding of elections in November 1989. What was called the "independence elections" was supervised by the United Nations (UN) and occurred in an "expectant" and almost carnival-like atmosphere. The outcome of the 1989 elections was accepted by all contending parties. In the aftermath of independence, an electoral commission established in 1992 had the primary purpose of managing elections in Namibia. During the first decade of independence, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was successful in arranging National Assembly elections in both 1994 and 1999. While minor problems were reported by the opposition, the outcomes of these two elections were not as contested as the elections held in Namibia since that time. Despite successive reforms to the Electoral Act of 1992, the election results of both 2004 and 2009 were contested in court by the opposition. The recurrence of electoral administrative mistakes suggests that Namibia needs a new and comprehensive Electoral Act that addresses the problems experienced in 2004 and 2009. Failure to address the electoral administrative deficiencies will not undermine effective and efficient electoral governance only, but the consolidation of democracy as well.

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