Soaked ballots mar Namibia count

Swapo is in no danger of losing its parliamentary majority

Dozens of ballot boxes are reported to have been damaged by rain in Namibia - hampering the recounting of votes cast in the disputed November 2004 election.

Sunday's recount was ordered by the High Court after two opposition parties produced evidence of irregularities.

But the BBC's Frauke Jensen in Namibia say that opposition party observers and returning officers say some 38 ballot boxes have been found full of water.

Many ballots were covered in mildew and the votes could not be made out.

Slip

Our reporter says it appears the rain may have got in, either when the votes were being transported on the back of open lorries after the election, or when they were being stored in a government warehouse.

The opposition say there are also a number of boxes which cannot be found.

Chaotic scenes also hit the start of the recount, which was delayed for eight hours.

Despite these problems, the electoral commission maintains there are no serious problems, although the Wednesday deadline for completing the recount could now slip.

More than 2,000 ballot boxes will have to be recounted to determine the exact make-up of the new National Assembly.

Time pressures are mounting as the new government is due to be sworn in next week.

The ruling Swapo party is not in danger of losing the vote - but it is becoming clear the elections were not arranged as well as the electoral commission would like Namibians to believe, our reporter says.