Iran Press/ Africa: Then led by Nelson Mandela, the ANC swept to power in South Africa's first multi-racial election in 1994 and has won a majority in national elections held every five years since then, though its share of the vote has gradually declined.
More than 27 million South Africans are registered to vote at over 23,000 polling stations that will be open from 0500 GMT to 1900 GMT.
Voters will elect provincial assemblies in each of the country's nine provinces, and a new national parliament which will then choose the next president.
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