DarthFishy
Graduate Poster
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 1,393
I thought after all the excitement of the US elections we could cover another country for once 
Just wanted to post some info about the elections to those who might be interested:
Currently with about 2 million votes counted ( ~5% of the population, ~10% of registered voters) the situation looks as follows:
ANC: 62%
DA: 19%
COPE: 7%
(A quick recap of the political parties. The African National Congress (ANC) is the party involved primarily in opposition to the Apartheid rule and has been the leading party for the last 15 years since the first democratic elections in 94. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is a combination of the old National Party (the party that used to be in charge during the apartheid years) and the old Democratic party (DP) which used to be the NPs largest opponent). The Congress of the People (COPE) is a new party formed about 4 months ago that is essentially a splinter group of the ANC).
The most interesting thing about the results so far is that the ANC is (currently) down from its previous levels of a 2/3rds majority in other elections and the DA has nearly doubled its usual level of support.
Besides the current results there has been little else to talk about. The elections have so far been very peaceful (the most peaceful so far according to reports). There have been a couple of incidents of voter/voting fraud as well as a couple of situations where polling stations opened late or did not receive sufficient ballot papers, but in general these incidents have been isolated and minor.
My own voting experience was pleasant, even though there was a much higher turnout than usual.
I'll try and bump this thread with relevant information as it becomes available but I'll be on holiday so if any other South Africans (or anybody else that's interested) wants to add anything feel free.
(Yay Democracy!)
Just wanted to post some info about the elections to those who might be interested:
Currently with about 2 million votes counted ( ~5% of the population, ~10% of registered voters) the situation looks as follows:
ANC: 62%
DA: 19%
COPE: 7%
(A quick recap of the political parties. The African National Congress (ANC) is the party involved primarily in opposition to the Apartheid rule and has been the leading party for the last 15 years since the first democratic elections in 94. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is a combination of the old National Party (the party that used to be in charge during the apartheid years) and the old Democratic party (DP) which used to be the NPs largest opponent). The Congress of the People (COPE) is a new party formed about 4 months ago that is essentially a splinter group of the ANC).
The most interesting thing about the results so far is that the ANC is (currently) down from its previous levels of a 2/3rds majority in other elections and the DA has nearly doubled its usual level of support.
Besides the current results there has been little else to talk about. The elections have so far been very peaceful (the most peaceful so far according to reports). There have been a couple of incidents of voter/voting fraud as well as a couple of situations where polling stations opened late or did not receive sufficient ballot papers, but in general these incidents have been isolated and minor.
My own voting experience was pleasant, even though there was a much higher turnout than usual.
I'll try and bump this thread with relevant information as it becomes available but I'll be on holiday so if any other South Africans (or anybody else that's interested) wants to add anything feel free.
(Yay Democracy!)