Trends from Oshana show Nujoma's graph soaring steadily ahead of the rest of the pack. The Congress of Democrats(CoD), touted as the strong fresh force in Namibian politics, has maintained third position but is unlikely to threaten Swapo in the north, according to political commentators.

From votes counted at two centres in Oshana, Nujoma stands at 4, 134, Justus Garoeb United Democratic Front(UDF) 1383, Ben Ulenga of CoD 1030 and Katuutire Kaura of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance(DTA) 900.

Because the highest concentration of registered voters falls in the swapo-dominated northern areas of Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto, analysts expect the ruling party to make a head's start even at parliamentary level.

Between them, the areas command more than 300,000 of the 850,000 plus registered voter population.

Namibia, a country of 1.6 million people, covers a vast area of 824,269 sq kilometres and electoral authorities have been using air and road transport to coordinate delivery of material and move ballot boxes to counting centres.

National television is beaming results live, radio is reporting the process by the minute and political parties, media and observers watch they entire episode unfold before them on the giant screen at the Results centre in Windhoek.

Counting started this morning and the flow of unverified results has been slow but more information is expected later this afternoon.

These are Namibia's third multiparty elections since its transition from apartheid rule by South Africa in 1989. Peace permeates the country as anxious voters await the final results.

Swapo has dominated the last two elections with overwhelming majorities. It took 53 seats of 72, in 1994 while DTA won 15, UDF 2, Democratic Coalition of Namibia and Monitor Action Group(MAG) one each.

Some poliitcal analysts believe these elections may see a reallignment of opposition party power with the New CoD, born of disagreements within Swapo, becoming runner-up. Swapo, they say, might not retain its two-thrids parliamentary majority, particularly with the advent of the new political players on the scene.