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South Africans head for the polls | South Africans head for the polls |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Africans are voting in what is expected to be the most competitive general election since the end of apartheid in 1994. | South Africans are voting 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 which allows it to change the constitution. | The ruling ANC - led by Jacob Zuma - is expected to win, but it could lose its two-thirds majority in parliament which allows it to change the constitution. |
Its rivals include a party which split from the ANC last year and the official opposition Democratic Alliance. | Its rivals include a party which split from the ANC last year and the official opposition 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. |
Opposition plea | |
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 casting his vote, President Kgalema Motlanthe encouraged others to do the same. | |
There is no cloud above my head, there is not even a mist Jacob ZumaANC leader class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8011640.stm">Your pictures: At the polls | |
"Everyone who participates in this election strengthens our democracy," he said. | |
In a polling station queue, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille told the BBC that South Africans needed to "stop Zuma to save the constitution". | |
"He's a one-man constitution-wrecking machine and what he says and what he does are two different things," she said. | |
The alliance has repeatedly suggested Mr Zuma wants to change the constitution to protect officials from prosecution - claims he has denied. | The alliance has repeatedly suggested Mr Zuma wants to change the constitution to protect officials from prosecution - claims he has denied. |
Before the vote, Mr Zuma said the emergence of the opposition Congress of the People (Cope) had "re-energised" the ANC. | Before the vote, Mr Zuma said the emergence of the opposition Congress of the People (Cope) had "re-energised" the ANC. |
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. | |
'Voting for change' | |
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. |
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 Zuma 'the victim' to win the day Send us your comments | |
One first-time voter, Bhekisa, was among the first at the polling station in Johannesburg City Hall. | |
"It's so cold today, you can see it's freezing. But I am excited because I am here," he said. | |
While another, Pam Morris, said she was keen to vote for a change. | |
"That is what we have to look for every day. Change. A better life," she said. | |
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. |
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South Africans stand in queues to vote in the election | |
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. | |
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, ending years of white minority rule. | |
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 said on the eve of voting. | |
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 |