South Africa is fully prepared to hold "free" and "fair" general elections on May 29, the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa stated in a televised address to the nation.
"In the days to come, we will be doing much more than exercising our constitutional right to vote," he said. "We will be determining the direction that our country takes. We will be taking responsibility for our future, the future of our families, our communities, and, indeed, our nation."
Ramaphosa said that security forces have carried out the necessary work to prevent unrest during the upcoming elections.
"As in previous elections, our law enforcement agencies and security services [...] have been deployed throughout the country to ensure that there are no disturbances to the election process. [...] As in every election that we have held since 1994, we expect this election to be held in conditions of peace and stability, to be free, fair, and credible," the president emphasized.
The head of state called on all parties, candidates, supporters and every citizen to refrain from any actions that could interfere with the proper electoral process.
According to the latest public opinion polls, the ruling African National Congress party, led by Ramaphosa, may receive 43 to 52% of the electorate in the parliamentary elections. It is followed by the Democratic Alliance party with 27%. In third place is the uMkhonto weSizwe, led by former South African President Jacob Zuma, with 13%, and in fourth are the Economic Freedom Fighters with 11%.
In total, more than 70 parties are participating in the elections.