At stake in this election:

• The office of President of Namibia

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA
• Assembly: Namibia has a bicameral Legislature consisting of the National Council with 26 seats and the National Assembly with 72 seats.

Description of electoral system:

• The President is elected by plurality vote to serve a 4-year term.
• In the National Council 26 members are elected by indirect vote to serve 6-year terms*. In the National Assembly, 72 members are elected through a closed-list proportional representation system to serve 5-year terms and 6 members are appointed head of government.**

* Two members are chosen from each of the 13 regional councils by members of those councils.

** There are 13 multi-member constituencies corresponding to Namibia's regions. The President may appoint up to 6 additional, non-voting members.

Main Candidates in the Presidential race:

• Hifikepunye Lucas POHAMBA
  • Party: South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO)
• Hidipo HAMUTENYA
  • Party: Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP)
• Katuutire KAURA
  • Party: Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) / Demokratische Turnhallenallianz
• Kuaima RIRUAKO
  • Party: National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO)
• Justus GAROEB
  • Party: United Democratic Front
• Ignatius Nkotongo SHIXWAMENI
  • Party: All People's Party (APP)
• Henk MUDGE
  • Party: Republican Party / Republikanische Partei
• Benjamin ULENGA
  • Party: Congress of Democrats
• Usutuaije MAAMBERUA
  • Party: South West Africa National Union / SWANU
• David ISSACS
  • Party: Democratic Party of Namibia
• Frans GOAGOSEB
  • Party: Namibian Democratic Movement for Change
• Attie BEUKES
  • Party: Communist Party of Namibia

Population and Registered Voters:

• Population: 2,152,357 (2009)
• Registered Voters: not available

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 1,107,505 (2009)

·         Is Namibia a signatory to CEDAW: No

·         Has Namibia ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (23 November 1992)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: No

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 19 (National Assembly) following the 2009; 7 (National Council) following the 2004 elections

·         Human Development Index Position: 126 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Low (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Namibia a signatory to CRPD: Yes (25 April 2007)

·         Has Namibia ratified CRPD: Yes (4 December 2007)

·         Population with a disability: 322,853 (est.)