South Africans are participating in a crucial national election that could potentially reshape the country's political landscape. The African National Congress (ANC), which has been the dominant party in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, is facing a significant challenge to maintain its majority.
Election Process
In South Africa, voters cast their ballots for political parties rather than directly for the president. The election takes place on a single day, with polling stations open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. across the country's nine provinces. Nearly 28 million registered voters will determine the composition of the national and provincial legislatures.
Parties are allocated seats in Parliament based on their share of the vote. The final election results are expected to be announced by Sunday, following the closure of polls.
Choosing a President
The president is elected by the National Assembly, the lower house of South Africa's Parliament, after the election results are declared. A simple majority of 201 votes is required to elect the head of state.
Potential Historic Outcome
This year's election is particularly significant as polls indicate that the ANC's support may fall below 50%, jeopardizing its parliamentary majority. In the event that the ANC does not secure a majority, it would need to form a coalition with other parties to retain power and reelect President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term.
While the ANC is still expected to be the largest party, the possibility of a coalition government or opposition parties joining forces to challenge its rule cannot be ruled out. The Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, the two main opposition parties, have been critical of the ANC but are unlikely to collaborate due to ideological differences.
As South Africa awaits the election results and the formation of the new Parliament, the political landscape of the country hangs in the balance, with the potential for a historic shift in power.
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