President Hifikepunye Pohamba wants a second five-year term. He is hoping for a decisive win for the country's former guerilla movement, the South West African People's Organisation.

But a breakaway faction wants to take advantage of growing dissatisfaction with Swapo after a spate of corruption scandals, including one that involved the son of China's president.

The Rally for Democracy and Progress, headed by former foreign minister Hidipo Hamutenya, was formed in 2007, citing a lack of new ideas and a repressive political atmosphere.

"If you enjoy an absolute majority, with no resistance from opposition for too long, problems such as nepotism and corruption might become major issues," said Emile van Zyl, executive director of research for financial services company Simonis Storm Securities.

"A stronger opposition will be good for the country as long as it does not lead to instability."

Fourteen parties are taking part in the elections, with 12 contesting the presidential poll.

About a million registered voters will cast their ballots on Friday and Saturday. Results are expected on December 4.

Namibia has rich diamond and uranium deposits, but about 40% of Namibians live below the poverty line.

Unemployment is high and Aids has had a devastating effect, especially on the indigenous San bushmen.

The Namibian government has been praised for its sound economic policies and for making strides in broadening access to education and healthcare.

But its record has been tainted by corruption scandals and concern about the country's relationship with China.

The Namibian military chief was suspended over an investigation into corruption allegations against Nuctech, a Beijing company.

The company was trying to land a lucrative contract to supply Namibia with security scanners. At the time, it was headed by the son of China's president, Hu Haifeng.

Some Namibians feel that the party that fought for independence has failed to deliver on its promises, said analyst Judy Smith-Hohn, of the Institute for Security Studies, in South African.

Pohamba was hand-picked by the country's first democratically elected president, Sam Nujoma. Nujoma led a 27-year-long bush war against South Africa, which had annexed the territory.

He became president on independence in 1990 and amended the constitution to allow him to run for three terms.

Loyalty to Nujoma is still strong but there are worries about the influence he continues to exert.

Hamutenya had been a Swapo member for 30 years - and a front-runner to succeed Nujoma - before he quit to form the RDP.

He said at the time that there was an urgent need to rekindle people's hopes of democracy.

Analysts believe that a victory for Swapo, which won the last elections with 75% of the votes cast, might be less convincing this time around.

"Though the RDP won't be able to challenge Swapo's rule, it will be able to take a few votes, minimising the percentage of parliamentary seats the former liberation movement has," said Smith-Hohn.

There have been clashes between Swapo and RDP supporters but it is unlikely that the election will be marred by violence.