Namibians have cast their ballots for the second day in presidential and parliamentary elections that look set to keep the ruling party in power.

The Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), which emerged as a breakaway faction of the ruling South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) party in 2007, is expected to become the new official opposition and is likely to threaten the two-thirds majority of the SWAPO.

Melissa Basson, a 29-year-old receptionist at a guesthouse in Windhoek, said she voted for the first time this year because she felt that a change in direction was possible.

"Before, everyone knew that SWAPO was going to win ... but it's time for a change and with the RDP we finally have a strong opposition," Basson was quoted by Reuters as saying.

"We need to make sure that development policies get implemented and Namibians get the services they need including housing, water and health ... in all parts of the country."

During the 2004 elections, four opposition parties demanded a recount, alleging fraud in the vote that saw the SWAPO taking 55 seats in the 72-seat parliament. The recount, however, confirmed SWAPO as the winner.

This year, fourteen parties are competing for the 72 seats and 12 candidates are running for president, though Hifikepunye Pohamba is widely expected to win the majority of the vote.

Counting will begin immediately after the polls close and initial results expected within a few hours.

HSH/TG/MMN