Nearly 80 percent are expected to cast their ballots in South Africa’s general elections, the fourth such election in the last 15 years since the end of National Party rule.
The biggest question about this election is not whether the communist-ANC will continue its stranglehold on South African politics, but how wide a margin the party will have in parliament. The ANC, which has enjoyed one-party rule since it took over from the National Party back in 1994, seeks to expand its seats in parliament to a more-than-two-thirds majority. However, support for the ANC has seen an erosion of its base, with voters splintering off to the multi-racial Democratic Alliance and, more recently, COPE, a party consisting of former ANC party members who became disenchanted after last summer’s forced withdrawal of then-president Thabo Mbeki from power.
Should the ANC obtain a two-thirds majority, it will be enable to rewrite the South African constitution, a concern that troubles most due to the rampant levels of corruption already inherit in the country. “Don’t let the ANC get a two thirds majority,” Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille warned voters in a last-minute stop-gap tour of the country over the weekend. “Because in 10 years’ time you’ll be asking yourself, what have you done?” The presidential candidate for COPE also warned voters to not turn South Africa into another African dictatorship.
International business interests are also concerned that a re-written South African constitution will mean the expropriation of their companies and industries. The South African rand fell sharply over such concerns.
However, most polls show the ANC will fall short of its desired goals. It is expected the party will garner 60-66% of the vote, down from 70% in 2004.
The high turnout of today’s vote may give a mandate to the other large question of the elction, the imminent presidency of ANC leader Jacob Zuma. While enjoying a large base of populist support, it is believed that Zuma will reward his base with the imposition of a quasi-socialist government. Whites, particularly farmers, are concerned about a return of the dreaded Expropriation Bill, among other points. Zuma’s own issues with corruption also compound on the question of one-party rule in South Africa.
Polls close at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) and first results are expected late on Wednesday night.
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And already people have been caught with marked ballot papers, IEC members “helping” voters “understand” the ballot by looking over their shoulder when they vote, ballot papers found on a national road.
Like in 1994, when they found ballot papers neatly stacked inside locked ballot boxes, conveniently with crosses next to ANC.
Not that you need to cheat to get stupid masses voting for Showerhead Zoooooma.
did you vote Johann?
I am still fuming about the fact that I could vote because I am still registered (and only could because the Freedom Front won the case in constitutional court for already registered expats to vote), but my son couldn’t – he turned 18 whilst living outside South Africa.
So while he is still a South African citizen, he can’t vote. And criminals in jail can.
How’s that for democracy?
Uh, that makes total sense. Sorry, if you don’t live in the country, you can’t vote here? Perfectly logical. If I ran SA I wouldn’t let whites vote.
Democracy and politics will never work in any African country. These people are looking for an “Alpha Male” to manage the troop…and to keep them in check and in place. Look at Zimbabwe for instance. The more Mugabe abuses his people, the more impressed they are with his power and control….after all, that’s what they expect of an “Alpha Male”….who will only be replaced once challenged by a younger, more virile, more intelligent, stronger male of the same species…..Africa will be Africa forever….all over the continent