Namibia: Election Springs Some Surprises

SWAPO has increased its control over Local Authority councils countrywide by three, up from 26 to 29 out of 44 - but had to endure defeat at some towns where the ruling party's head office had forced candidates onto supporters. Following Friday's election, Swapo controls 29 councils, the United Democratic Front (UDF) two and the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) one, while 14 councils did not achieve an absolute majority for any party.