South Africa’s early voters launch historic election week

AFP :
Early voting got under way in South Africa Monday, kick-starting what could be a historic election week, with the ruling African National Congress’ majority on the line for the first time.

More than 600,000 of the elderly and infirm, along with essential workers, police and prisoners, deemed unable to come to the polls on Wednesday were allowed to vote first.

In the Yeoville Recreation Centre in Johannesburg, early voting proceeded slowly but smoothly, according to Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) presiding officer Pamela Nkosi.

Only four of the 200 people registered to vote at the station had been processed by 11:00 am (0900 GMT), two hours after polls opened, but half a dozen more were waiting. Nkosi said: “We are expecting the turnout to build as the day goes by.”

Philemon Makweng, a 62-year-old retiree wrapped up in a hat and sweater against the cool winter morning, has voted in every election since 1994, but was pleased for the chance to turn out early this year.

“I am avoiding the queues of those youngsters who are coming on Wednesday, they push us,” he told AFP.

The rest of South Africa’s 27-million-strong registered electorate will be called on Wednesday, and opinion polls point to the ANC falling under 50 percent for the first time in 30 years of democracy.

If left with no absolute majority in the 400-seat National Assembly, President Cyril Ramaphosa will have to negotiate support from other parties to return to power and maintain the ANC’s winning streak.