People have been voting since early in the morning
South Africans are voting in a crucial election marking 30 years since apartheid ended.
Over 27 million voters will choose a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures, with a record 70 parties and 11 independents contesting. The African National Congress (ANC), in power since Nelson Mandela's 1994 victory, seeks a seventh term but may lose its majority, potentially leading to a coalition government.
The election reflects political fragmentation, with rising disillusionment with major parties. Main issues include government corruption, high youth unemployment, deteriorating services, and crime.
The main opposition, Democratic Alliance (DA), has formed a coalition pact but remains unlikely to oust the ANC, which won 57.5% in the last election.
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