Namibian presidential election won by Swapo's Hage Geingob

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Hage GeingobImage source, AFP
Image caption,
As the Swapo candidate, Hage Geingob had been assured of victory

The candidate of Namibia's governing party, Prime Minister Hage Geingob, has won the country's presidential elections, taking 87% of the vote, the electoral commission says.

The second-placed candidate, McHenry Venaani, received less than 5% of the vote, the commission said.

Mr Geingob represents Swapo, a former liberation movement that has won all Namibia's elections since independence.

The party also won more than 80% of the votes in parliamentary elections.

The second and third-placed parties, the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) and Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), had just 4.8% and 3.5% of the vote respectively, the electoral commission said.

It said turnout was 72%.

Outgoing President Hifikepunye Pohamba, also of Swapo, has served the maximum two terms allowed by the constitution.

Land grabs

Analysts say Swapo's liberation movement credentials and record of addressing social inequality have helped secure loyalty across age groups for Mr Geingob, 73, and his predecessors, although that loyalty has been partially eroded.

Opposition parties have accused Swapo of land grabs and abuse of power by officials.

It is the only party to have held power since Namibia won independence from South Africa in 1990.

Image source, Electoral Commission of Namibia
Image caption,
There was no paper in the voting booths

The latest elections, last Friday, were Africa's first electronic ballot.

Opposition parties had challenged the use of e-voting machines, arguing that a lack of a paper trail could encourage vote rigging.

But the case was dismissed by the High Court shortly before the elections.

About 1.2 million voters were eligible to vote.

The African Union said voting had been conducted in "a peaceful environment, free from violence and intimidation".