Windhoek: Two opposition parties in Namibia, aiming to contest the outcome of last month’s elections, secured a court order on Friday permitting them to inspect the election materials they had requested.

SWAPO, the ruling party, claimed victory in both the presidential and parliamentary elections held on November 27, maintaining its 34-year dominance in the country. However, the opposition parties have raised concerns over alleged flaws in the election process, including the extension of voting for several days, which they argue may render the results invalid.

“There were clear irregularities in the election. IPC seeks this information to assess the extent of these irregularities,” said the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the largest opposition party, in a court document seen by Reuters. “It also allows IPC to evaluate whether to take legal action regarding the validity of the election.”

The Landless People’s Movement, another opposition group, joined the IPC in its request.

Following a court hearing on Friday morning, Namibia's electoral court instructed the electoral commission to provide the requested materials, including data on the number of votes cast and counted at each polling station for every day of the election. The commission must present the data by next week.

The election was marred by ballot paper shortages and technical issues, leading to voting being extended by up to three days in some areas.

President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her victory speech last week, dismissed the allegations of election irregularities, stating, “I am not even listening to those critics.” The electoral commission has maintained that the election was free and fair. Nandi-Ndaitwah is set to become the country's first female president in March.