For the first time in 30 years, South Africa’s governing party faces election worries.
Support for the ANC is expected to fall dramatically, and it may lose its parliamentary majority. If that happens, it may be forced to form a coalition.
Who are the key people in this election?
As the election heads to a close and many still wait to cast their ballots, let’s bring you up to speed on the candidates and parties hoping to secure a win.
Cyril Ramaphosa
South Africa’s current president and head of the African National Congress (ANC).
Ramaphosa, 71, is looking to secure his second and final election win, but many have predicted his party might not be able to secure an outright majority and will be forced to form a coalition government.
John Steenhuisen
Steenhuisen, 48, leader of the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), is situating his party as the party to “rescue South Africa” from the ANC.
Jacob Zuma
Although former President Zuma, 82, was barred from standing as a member of parliament, he is the face of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which is expected to gain seats from the ANC.
Julius Malema
Malema, 43, is the founder of the Economic Freedom Party (EFF), an anti-establishment, Marxist, Pan-Africanist party.
Here’s what happened yesterday
Here’s a quick recap of events as they unfolded on election day in South Africa:
• Millions of South Africans went to the polls in nine provinces for national and provincial elections that could test the ANC’s 30-year rule.
• More than 27 million voters are registered in the country of 62 million.
• The election commission said the voter turnout will go “well beyond” the 66 percent recorded in the last election in 2019.
• Seventy parties competed for votes, and a coalition government looks like a possibility for the first time since the end of apartheid.
• No major irregularities or issues have so far been raised regarding the vote, although voters at some polling stations reported delays, power outages and problems with voter roll machines.
• Vote counting began on Wednesday night when polls closed.
• Partial results are expected by early Thursday and the IEC should announce the final results on Sunday.
• If the ANC fails to win a 50 percent majority, it may have to form a coalition with other parties.
Click here for the latest elections results 👉🏾 https://results.elections.org.za/dashboards/npe/
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