LIVE: South Africans vote in national and provincial elections

LIVE UPDATES

This is the end of our live coverage. Thank you for following. Follow GSW for updates on the results and final declaration on June 2.

22:15 GMT +2: Vote counting is underway and the IEC has announced the first batch of results. The delayed voting process is ongoing simultaneously with vote counting. The final election results are expected to be announced by the IEC on June 2.

19:00 GMT +2: Polls officially close in South Africa as hundreds queue to cast their votes due to widespread delay in the delivery of voting materials. The IEC tells presiding officers to drop faulty scanners, use manual voting and assist long queues. Those already in the line by 21:00 local time can still vote.

18:25 GMT +2: Warning shots fired in Thokoza after voters attempted to storm a polling station. Calm is restored.

18:00 GMT +2: One hour to the close of polls and the queues are getting longer. IEC addresses the media.

"We are experiencing a late surge and are processing a large number of voters in certain areas, particularly the metropolitan areas in Gauteng, Western Cape, KZN, and the Eastern Cape" - Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission Sy Mamabolo. The IEC added that those in the queue before the close of the polls would be allowed to vote and they have beefed up their staff numbers to attend to all voters in the queue.

16:20 GMT +2: It is already dark and temperatures are dropping while people are in long queues waiting to vote.

16:00 GMT +2: Three hours to the close of polls at 9 pm and there are long lines of people in Kwazulu Natal and other provinces waiting to vote. The IEC has announced that people who are in queues at 21:00 will be allowed to vote.

16:00 GMT +2: Voting papers sent late by boat to a community in North Kwazulu Natal.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has sent voting papers by boat to the community of ENKovukeni in North Kwazulu Natal to ensure that people vote.

15:00 GMT +2: Five Eastern Cape voting stations closed due to protests

The Eastern Cape saw some voting stations closed down due to protests over electricity outages and lack of water, the IEC said. were some of the issues that delayed and, in some cases, prevented some voters from casting their votes at voting stations in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.

Eastern Cape electoral officer, Kayakazi Magudumana, said five voting stations remained closed due to residents protesting over service delivery issues. The stations are Nokhatshile in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality's Ward 2; Buhlambu in the Ntabankulu Local Municipality's Ward 17; Maggie in the Port St Johns Municipality's Ward 1; Sidanda in the Nyandeni Local Municipality's Ward 28; and Mavundleni in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality's Ward 28.

14:20 GMT +2: Several stores in the Johannesburg area are giving out gifts to voters as a token of appreciation.

Hudsons Burgers in Johannesburg is among the long list of stores that are offering free gifts and treats as a token of appreciation to those who take the time to cast their votes. Krispy Kreme said it had given 80 dozen (960) donuts to people who have voted so far. Lush was handing out bath bombs which ran out at 09:00. Others that are offering free gifts include Wimpy, Spur, Doppio Zero, Motherland Coffee and Sorbet.

14:15 GMT +2: International election observers have lauded the IEC for a smooth electoral process.

14:01 GMT +2: Concerns of voters roll machine failures in several regions raised. IEC urged to fix it to avoid delays.

14:00 GMT +2: Julius Malema speaks against extension of the election by a day.

14:00 GMT +2: Julius Malema of the EFF casts his vote.

13:56 GMT +2: International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor speaks to the press after casting her vote.

13:24 GMT +2: Voters still in queues by the close of polls will be assisted to vote.

12:57 GMT +2: Some voters share their election expectations.

12:07 GMT +2: Reports of a polling station located in western Cape Town running out of ballot boxes as voting continues in other parts.

11:57 GMT +2: Voters with special needs who were unable to vote on May 27 and 28 are allowed to vote.

11:16 GMT +2: Former President Jacob Zuma votes at a polling station in KwaZulu-Natal.

11:00 GMT +2: The Electoral Commission briefs the media on the progress of the elections.

10:31 GMT +2: Police Minister Bheki Cele says voting is going well in the country except in some parts of the Eastern Cape.

10:20 GMT +2: Julius Malema, leader of the opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) arrives at a polling station in Limpopo province to cast his vote.

10:02 GMT +2: Former President Thabo Mbeki votes in Johannesburg.

09:11 GMT +2: First-time voters share their experience.

09:07 GMT +2: Voting is still ongoing as queues move along.

08:24 GMT +2: President Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Tshepo Motsepe vote at a polling station in Soweto.

08:03 GMT +2: Wife of former President Jacob Zuma, Sizakele Zuma votes.

07:57 GMT+2: Voting continues 2 hours after polls opened.

07:53 GMT+2: John Steenhuisen, leader of the opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) votes.

07:46 GMT +2: Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan among election observers visiting polling stations in Soweto.

07:35 GMT +2: Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrives at his polling station in Sandton to cast his vote.

07:25 GMT +2: South Africa's Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, reports that 17,129 inmates have registered to vote, with Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria having the highest number.

07:11 GMT +2: Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile is expected to cast his vote at a polling station in Sandton.

06:30 GMT +2: Ballots have still not arrived at a polling station in Craighall, a suburb of Johannesburg.

06:27 GMT +2: Long queues in Sandton, a residence in the northern part of Johannesburg where former mayor Herman Mashaba is expected to vote.

06:14 GMT +2: Locals in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape Town, are halting voting at Wolf River Primary School due to a protest over a land claim.

06:06 GMT +2: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to cast his vote at a primary school in Soweto at 08:00 GMT +2.

06:00 GMT +2: Voters at South Africa’s largest voting station at Joubert Park in Johannesburg queue as voting stations remain unopened.

05:45 GMT +2: Voting is underway in some regions as voters take to the polls to cast their votes.

05:00 GMT +2: Voting is expected to start at this time as voters wait at some voting centres.

Polls are expected to open from 7 am (0500 GMT) to 9 pm (1900 GMT) across the country’s nine provinces.

ELECTIONS BACKGROUND

South Africa has had 5 black presidents; Nelson Mandela (1994-1999), Thabo Mbeki (1999-2008), Kgalema Motlanthe (2008-2009), Jacob Zuma (2009-2018), Cyril Ramaphosa (2018-present) all from the dominant African National Congress (ANC).

However, the governing African National Congress (ANC) is projected to lose its parliament majority for the first time, possibly paving the way for the country’s first coalition government.

Contesting are 14,889 candidates, including 70 political parties and 11 independents vying for 887 seats in the election to be conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Voters with special needs, such as expectant mothers and individuals with disabilities, cast their ballots two days before election day on May 27 and 28, while registered voters residing overseas cast their ballots on May 17 and 18, according to the IEC.

South Africa employs a proportional representation system, with voters receiving three ballots - National Compensatory Ballot, National Regional Ballot, and Provincial Legislature Ballot - to elect representatives to the National Assembly, Regional National Assembly and Provincial Legislature.

Voters are allowed to vote for different contestants on each ballot and are not compelled to vote for the same party across all the ballot papers. All ballot papers are Universal Braille Template compliant for the blind and partially sighted.

Polls open from 7 am (0500 GMT) to 9 pm (1900 GMT) across the country’s nine provinces, where electorates will cast ballots for national and provincial governments.

The final results of the election are expected to be announced by the IEC on June 2.

KEY FIGURES

• 62 million country population
• 27.79 million registered voters
• Voting age 18 years
• 9 provinces
• 257 municipalities
• 23,292 polling stations
• 5 years presidential term
• 2 terms presidential limit
• 14,889 candidates
• 70 political parties
• 11 independent candidates
• 887 seats