This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8011156.stm
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| South Africans head for the polls | South Africans head for the polls |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| South Africans are voting in what is likely to be the most competitive general election since the end of apartheid in 1994. | |
| Many voters were wrapped in blankets, hats and scarves on a chilly day and turned out hours before booths opened. | |
| Former leader Nelson Mandela, 90, was among those voting. | |
| 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. |
| Among its rivals is a new party - Congress of the People (Cope) - formed by a group who split from the ANC last year when ex-President Thabo Mbeki was replaced as leader. | |
| 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 | Opposition plea |
| BBC correspondents around the country reported lively groups of voters braving the wintry weather to cast their ballots. | |
| Your pictures: At the polls | Your pictures: At the polls |
| Many voters arrived hours before polling stations opened - many wrapped in blankets, clutching mugs of hot drinks. | |
| Former leader Thabo Mbeki cast his vote in Johannesburg, but did not confirm widespread speculation that he would support Cope. | |
| "People should vote for who they want, not out of fear, but for the party they believe will deliver the South Africa they want," he said. | |
| In a polling station queue leader of the official opposition Democratic Alliance party, 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. | "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 that if the ANC retains its two-thirds majority, it might change the constitution to protect Mr Zuma from prosecution - claims he has denied. | The alliance has repeatedly suggested that if the ANC retains its two-thirds majority, it might change the constitution to protect Mr Zuma from prosecution - claims he has denied. |
| 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 | 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 |
| Charges of corruption against Mr Zuma were dropped just two weeks before the poll, after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case. | Charges of corruption against Mr Zuma were dropped just two weeks before the poll, after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case. |
| Before the vote, Mr Zuma said the emergence of the opposition Cope party 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. | 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' | '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. |
| One first-time voter, Bhekisa, was among the first at the polling station in Johannesburg City Hall. | 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. | "It's so cold today, you can see it's freezing. But I am excited because I am here," he said. |
| 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 |
| While another, Pam Morris, said she was keen to vote for a change. | 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. | "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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| An opposition coalition would provide the biggest challenge to the ANC since it was first elected in 1994, ending years of white minority rule. | An opposition coalition would provide the biggest challenge to the ANC since it was first elected in 1994, ending years of white minority rule. |
| 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 |