Namibia votes in extended poll after flaws, opposition anger

Windhoek: Namibia s top opposition presidential contender urged voters Friday to keep casting their ballots despite irregularities in elections that...

Windhoek: Namibia's top opposition presidential contender urged voters Friday to keep casting their ballots despite "irregularities" in elections that have been controversially extended after an initial day of chaos at the polls.

Electoral authorities have extended voting until Saturday in Namibia's presidential and legislative polls, after the original election day -- Wednesday -- was marred by logistical and technical failures that led to hours-long queues, which some voters eventually abandoned.

Namibia's opposition is hoping to bring an end to 34 years of rule by the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), which is facing its toughest challenge yet as disenchanted younger voters across the region reject traditionally dominant liberation-era parties.

"Regrettably, there has been a multitude of irregularities," Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) presidential candidate Panduleni Itula told a press conference.

However, "there is no other alternative than for the citizens to carry out what is proposed by the Electoral Commission of Namibia to its conclusion," he said. Opposition parties would await the outcome of the vote before deciding on the next steps, he said.