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| South Africa election: Polls due to open | South Africa election: Polls due to open |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Polls are due to open in South Africa's fifth general election since the end of apartheid 20 years ago. | Polls are due to open in South Africa's fifth general election since the end of apartheid 20 years ago. |
| The governing African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term. | The governing African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term. |
| However, it is expected to lose ground amid concern over high unemployment and a number of corruption scandals. | However, it is expected to lose ground amid concern over high unemployment and a number of corruption scandals. |
| The run-up to the vote has been marked by protests and troops have been deployed to boost security. | The run-up to the vote has been marked by protests and troops have been deployed to boost security. |
| Wednesday's election is the first time that those born after the end of apartheid are able to take part and commentators say much will depend on how they cast their ballots. | Wednesday's election is the first time that those born after the end of apartheid are able to take part and commentators say much will depend on how they cast their ballots. |
| Polls show many are disaffected with the country's leadership and are willing to support the opposition Democratic Alliance, led by anti-apartheid activist Helen Zille, or the Economic Freedom Fighters, headed by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema. | Polls show many are disaffected with the country's leadership and are willing to support the opposition Democratic Alliance, led by anti-apartheid activist Helen Zille, or the Economic Freedom Fighters, headed by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema. |
| The ANC's campaign has drawn heavily on past glories and on the outpouring of grief over the death of its former leader, Nelson Mandela. | The ANC's campaign has drawn heavily on past glories and on the outpouring of grief over the death of its former leader, Nelson Mandela. |
| "Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!" campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name. | "Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!" campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name. |
| But many commentators say this election could be the last to be dominated by South Africa's post-apartheid legacy. | But many commentators say this election could be the last to be dominated by South Africa's post-apartheid legacy. |
| About a quarter of South Africa's workforce is jobless and a BBC poll suggests unemployment is the major issue among young voters, followed by education. | About a quarter of South Africa's workforce is jobless and a BBC poll suggests unemployment is the major issue among young voters, followed by education. |
| Trouble hotspots | Trouble hotspots |
| Some 22,000 polling stations will open at schools, places of worship, tribal authority sites and hospitals, while dozens of vehicles serving as mobile voting centres will operate in remote areas. | Some 22,000 polling stations will open at schools, places of worship, tribal authority sites and hospitals, while dozens of vehicles serving as mobile voting centres will operate in remote areas. |
| About 25 million people have registered to vote - roughly half the population. | About 25 million people have registered to vote - roughly half the population. |
| Police say at least one officer will be on duty at every polling station and troops have also been deployed to keep order at various hotspots. | Police say at least one officer will be on duty at every polling station and troops have also been deployed to keep order at various hotspots. |
| There was rioting in Bekkersdal township, south west of Johannesburg, on Tuesday and reports that some temporary polling stations had been burned down. | There was rioting in Bekkersdal township, south west of Johannesburg, on Tuesday and reports that some temporary polling stations had been burned down. |
| Bekkersdal has suffered intermittent unrest since last year as residents protested over a lack of public services. Many have vowed to boycott the election. | Bekkersdal has suffered intermittent unrest since last year as residents protested over a lack of public services. Many have vowed to boycott the election. |
| Polls are due to open at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and close 14 hours later. | Polls are due to open at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and close 14 hours later. |
| President Zuma is expected to vote at his Nkandala homestead in rural KwaZulu-Natal while opposition leader Helen Zille will vote in Cape Town. | President Zuma is expected to vote at his Nkandala homestead in rural KwaZulu-Natal while opposition leader Helen Zille will vote in Cape Town. |
| The full result is not expected before Friday. | The full result is not expected before Friday. |
| Are you in South Africa? Will you be voting? You can send an email to haveyoursay@bbc.co using 'South Africa' in the subject. | |
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