The high court in Windhoek has thrown out an application by nine opposition parties to have the results of the 2009 presidential and National Assembly elections annulled.
In the nationwide elections, which took place on November 27 and 28, Hifikepunye Pohamba won his second presidential term and ruling party Swapo maintained control of the National Assembly for the 19th consecutive year.
The results of last year’s presidential elections were questioned by the nine opposition parties, which claimed that the elections were marred by irregularities and were in violation of the Electoral Act.
Allegations included failing to post election results and ballot-box stuffing.
An audit was conducted by the opposition parties and the findings gave them sufficient grounds to file a case against the Electoral Commission of Namibia in January.
Judge President Petrus Damaseb and Judge Collins Parker dismissed the application yesterday and ordered that the applicants pay the legal costs incurred by Swapo and the Electoral Commission of Namibia.
Though they did not disclose their reasoning in reaching their decision, the judges said that the applications were filed late in terms of the court rules and the Electoral Act.
Source: www.timesonline.co.za 20100305
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