Counting Begins After South Africans Vote in Historic Election

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Counting began Wednesday night after South Africans voted in what is considered their most significant election since the end of apartheid 30 years ago. The polls were open for 14 hours at more than 23,000 stations across the country's nine provinces.

The final results are not expected for several days, with the independent electoral commission stating that the official results will be announced by Sunday.

This election could end the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress (ANC), the party that led South Africa out of apartheid and into democracy in 1994. The ANC now faces a wave of discontent from a new generation in a nation of 62 million people, half of whom are estimated to live in poverty.

Despite winning six successive national elections, the ANC's support has fallen below 50% in several opinion polls leading up to this vote—an unprecedented drop. Although the party is widely expected to hold the most seats, it may lose its majority in Parliament for the first time.

As officials prepare for the count, the nation awaits the results that could reshape South Africa's political landscape.