Zuma Expected to Return to Power in South Africa

World Today

South Africa went to the polls, in the first Presidential election after the death of Nelson Mandela. Opinion polls suggest the party he once led, the African National Congress, will hold “on” to power. Polling stations closed Wednesday evening in elections in South Africa that are expected to see the ruling African National Congress return to power despite a vigorous challenge from opposition parties seeking to capitalize on discontent with corruption and economic inequality.

Voting in the fifth all-race polls in South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994 wrapped up at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) and South Africa’s election commission said the first results were expected in the following hours. Officials will declare final results no earlier than Saturday, allowing time to address any objections to the process.

The election commission said most voting went smoothly. About 25 million South Africans, roughly half the population, registered to vote in the parliamentary elections that will also determine the president. CCTV correspondent Guy Henderson reports from Pretoria.

Follow Guy Henderson on Twitter: @guyhendersonsa

Zuma Expected to Return to Power in South Africa

South Africa went to the polls, in the first Presidential election after the death of Nelson Mandela. Opinion polls suggest the party he once led, the African National Congress, will hold "on" to power. CCTV correspondent Guy Henderson reports from Pretoria.