(VOVWORLD) -More than 23,000 polling stations in South Africa opened at 7 a.m. Wednesday (local time) and about 27 million voters have registered to cast their ballots in the general election.
 Voters cast the ballots in the general election in Umlazi, South Africa, May 29, 2024. Photo: AFP/VNA
|
Voters will elect provincial legislatures in the country's nine provinces, a new National Assembly, and then elect the President.
According to public opinion polls, the African National Congress (ANC) Party may lose its absolute majority after 30 years in power. Led by Nelson Mandela, the ANC won the first multiracial election in South Africa in 1994. Since then, it has always won a majority of votes in national elections held every five years, although the percentage of votes in favor appear to decrease.
In case ANC support falls below 50% in this election, the party will have to agree with at least one smaller party to form a government.
As planned, 23,000 polling stations will close at 9 p.m. on the same day (local time). South Africa's National Electoral Commission is expected to announce preliminary results a few hours after polling stations close. Official results will be announced within seven days.