This election has been a high-stakes affair with many potential pitfalls, but the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has managed to successfully navigate through it all.
The governing party faces the risk of losing its long-standing majority which gave it exclusive control over the levers of power for three decades. In other countries where a similar scenario has played out there was an illegitimate power grab.
On the other hand, a new political party, founded by former president Jacob Zuma, has emerged, stirring controversy about the fairness of the elections even before they had taken place. There were also sinister attempts to gain access to IEC materials before election day.
To counter any threats to the integrity of election, law enforcement authorities were on the alert, with President Cyril Ramaphosa approving the deployment of 2,828 SA National Defence Force members to work with the police in maintaining law and order during the elections.
But at the end of the day the elections concluded peacefully despite regrettable glitches with voter management devices and other things which resulted in torturously long queues, particularly in metropolitan areas which could have affected the final voter turnout. Overall the elections were a success and for this the IEC, which has been preparing for months, must be congratulated.
The final verdict on the peacefulness of the elections will, however, only be decided by the responses of political parties to the election results, which are due in the next few days.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.