A woman who joined Namibia’s independence movement in the 1970s is a strong contender to become its first female leader as the country votes in a presidential election.

If things work out as Namibia’s long-time governing party hopes, the country will be electing its first female head of state this week. But a mood of disillusionment with liberation movements in southern Africa, coupled with the anti-incumbency feeling in many parts of the world, may pose a threat to what would be an historic achievement.

Early results from Namibia’s presidential and parliamentary elections show the ruling party garnered the most support, albeit markedly less than it did five years ago, unofficial tallies show.

Namibia extended voting for a second time Thursday with the opposition crying foul after logistical failures prevented many people from casting their ballots in the closely fought election. With the ruling party facing its strongest challenge yet,

More than 1.4 million Namibians were registered to vote in the country’s seventh presidential and 8th National Assembly elections on Wednesday. Those at the polls endured scorching heat and long queues.