Polls open in Namibia election

The people of Namibia are voting to elect a new president and parliament, against a backdrop of discontent over a lagging economy and massive unemployment.

But analysts say the ruling Swapo party, which has been in power since independence from South Africa in 1990, is unlikely to lose its overwhelming majority.

President Hage Geingob, who is seeking a second five-year term, is facing a number of challengers, including the country’s first female presidential candidate, Esther Muinjangue.

Mr Geingob’s government has recently been rocked by a bribery scandal.

The justice and the fisheries ministers resigned two weeks ago over allegations that they had awarded fishing quotas to Iceland’s biggest fishing company in exchange for money.