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| South Africans head for the polls | South Africans head for the polls |
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| South Africans are going to the polls in what is expected to be the most competitive general election since the end of apartheid in 1994. | South Africans are going to the polls in what is expected to be the most competitive general election since the end of apartheid in 1994. |
| The ruling ANC - led by Jacob Zuma - is expected to win, but it could lose its two-thirds majority in parliament. | The ruling ANC - led by Jacob Zuma - is expected to win, but it could lose its two-thirds majority in parliament. |
| It is being challenged by a new party which split from the ANC last year - as well as by the long-standing official opposition, the Democratic Alliance. | It is being challenged by a new party which split from the ANC last year - as well as by the long-standing official opposition, the Democratic Alliance. |
| The Independent Electoral Commission says it expects a high turnout. | The Independent Electoral Commission says it expects a high turnout. |
| Some 20,000 polling stations are being used for the more than 23 million registered voters. | Some 20,000 polling stations are being used for the more than 23 million registered voters. |
| BBC correspondents around the country reported lively groups of voters braving a chilly day to cast their ballots. | BBC correspondents around the country reported lively groups of voters braving a chilly day to cast their ballots. |
| Many voters arrived hours before polling stations opened - some wrapped in blankets, others in coats, scarves and hats. | Many voters arrived hours before polling stations opened - some wrapped in blankets, others in coats, scarves and hats. |
| While she was queuing to vote, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille told the BBC that South Africans needed to "stop Zuma to save the constitution". | |
| "He's a one-man constitutional wrecking machine and what he says and what he does are two different things," she said. | |
| Before the vote, Mr Zuma said the emergence of the opposition Congress of the People (Cope) had "re-energised" the ANC. | |
| Voter boost | Voter boost |
| On the eve of the vote, he said there was an energy and excitement about the contest which had not been seen the country's first democratic election 15 years ago. | On the eve of the vote, he said there was an energy and excitement about the contest which had not been seen the country's first democratic election 15 years ago. |
| POLL IN NUMBERS 23m registered voters19,700 polling stations9,130 candidates - 3,511 female2,000 soldiers deployed4,000 local observers, 153 from abroad Special report: South Africa election Q&A: General elections Is South Africa about to change? Send us your comments | POLL IN NUMBERS 23m registered voters19,700 polling stations9,130 candidates - 3,511 female2,000 soldiers deployed4,000 local observers, 153 from abroad Special report: South Africa election Q&A: General elections Is South Africa about to change? Send us your comments |
| Many of the new voters are young people who have little memory of the struggle to end white minority rule, which brought the ANC to power. | Many of the new voters are young people who have little memory of the struggle to end white minority rule, which brought the ANC to power. |
| Analysts say the emergence of Cope last November could have accounted for a boost in the number of registered voters. | Analysts say the emergence of Cope last November could have accounted for a boost in the number of registered voters. |
| But polls have recorded a fall in the party's popularity since then. | But polls have recorded a fall in the party's popularity since then. |
| "As they emerged, people decided they weren't what they thought," political analyst Bob Mattes told the BBC. | "As they emerged, people decided they weren't what they thought," political analyst Bob Mattes told the BBC. |
| Cope has fielded a relatively unknown presidential candidate, former Bishop Mvume Dandala, who has struggled to make an impact on the public scene, analysts say. | Cope has fielded a relatively unknown presidential candidate, former Bishop Mvume Dandala, who has struggled to make an impact on the public scene, analysts say. |
| Around 200,000 ANC supporters filled several stadiums on Sunday to see Mr Zuma address them via satellite link from a rally in Johannesburg's Ellis Park. | Around 200,000 ANC supporters filled several stadiums on Sunday to see Mr Zuma address them via satellite link from a rally in Johannesburg's Ellis Park. |
| A Cope rally in Polokwane Limpopo province attracted around 5,000 supporters. | A Cope rally in Polokwane Limpopo province attracted around 5,000 supporters. |
| 'Cultural revolution' | 'Cultural revolution' |
| Some say the real battle is between Cope and the Democratic Alliance, for second place. | Some say the real battle is between Cope and the Democratic Alliance, for second place. |
| Neither party has ruled out entering into a coalition after the election. | Neither party has ruled out entering into a coalition after the election. |
| Voters in South Africa give their views on the most competitive elections since the end of apartheidIn pictures | Voters in South Africa give their views on the most competitive elections since the end of apartheidIn pictures |
| An opposition coalition would provide the biggest challenge to the ANC since it was first elected in 1994. | An opposition coalition would provide the biggest challenge to the ANC since it was first elected in 1994. |
| DA leader Helen Zille has said her party wants to deny the ANC a two-thirds majority this time around. | DA leader Helen Zille has said her party wants to deny the ANC a two-thirds majority this time around. |
| They say the ANC wants to change the constitution to make it harder to prosecute politicians for corruption. | They say the ANC wants to change the constitution to make it harder to prosecute politicians for corruption. |
| Mr Zuma, who faced corruption charges until a few weeks before voting, again rejected any suggestion that there remained a cloud of suspicion over him. | Mr Zuma, who faced corruption charges until a few weeks before voting, again rejected any suggestion that there remained a cloud of suspicion over him. |
| "There is no cloud above my head, there is not even a mist," he told journalists in his final press briefing before polls open. | "There is no cloud above my head, there is not even a mist," he told journalists in his final press briefing before polls open. |
| The charges, which related to a government arms deal, were withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority after phone tap recordings of the lead investigator and prosecutor suggested there had been political interference in the prosecution. | The charges, which related to a government arms deal, were withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority after phone tap recordings of the lead investigator and prosecutor suggested there had been political interference in the prosecution. |
| Political commentator Xolela Mangcu says this is the first time that the country is about to be led by someone not from the educated elite of black society. | Political commentator Xolela Mangcu says this is the first time that the country is about to be led by someone not from the educated elite of black society. |
| "There is a cultural revolution in the ANC," he said. | "There is a cultural revolution in the ANC," he said. |
| If you are in South Africa, send us your voting experiences by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 or use the form below: | If you are in South Africa, send us your voting experiences by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 or use the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |