“We would like to see the elections conducted in a democratic manner, where every registered voter will have a chance to cast his/her ballot,” said Obasanjo.

South Africans head to the polls today, to elect their leader in the forth democratic elections since the fall of the apartheid regime.

Observers have termed this year’s elections as a hotly contested exercise since the fall of apartheid in 1994 in which the ruling party, the African National Congress headed by Jacob Zuma faces a tough opposition from the Democratic Alliance and its break-away COPE.

The elections also come at a time when South Africa faces dire challenges of an economic meltdown, sky rocketing poverty, political violence and the infamous HIV/Aids epidemic. The southern African country witnessed acts of xenophobic violence meted out at African foreign nations a year ago.

Obasanjo has also called for a huge voter turnout, saying that he would like to see an 80 percent voter turnout in this year’s elections.

“It is a pity that in some countries, less than 50% of voters cast their ballots. We hope that South African youth, particularly will see the need to vote for a new leader.

On his perceptions towards Jacob Zuma, who the opinion polls have predicted as the next South African leader, Obasanjo steered clear from expressing his views on Zuma’s personality. He instead hailed Zuma as a popular leader and a Pan-African.

“We know Zuma as a popular leader who is also down to earth. Such attributes are important for any African leader. We all know that there are many things that people say about their leaders, both in their favour and against; but what is important is the leader’s focus.”

Obasanjo, also a former AU chairman said that the million dollar question that every South African should be asking now is, ‘Is the leader we are electing a man of vision? Can he/she be trusted to further improve our living standards? Can he dream realistic dreams and actualise those dreams?’

Intervention

Asked if his observer team would intervene in case of any violence, Obasanjo said his team would only appeal to party leaders and their supporters to detest from any forms of violence.

“In case of any violence, we will promptly report to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to take stern measures on the perpetrators of violence,” he said

Meanwhile ANC’s Jacob Zuma is brimming with confidence ahead of today’s elections. He told a media conference in Johannesburg that ANC has better policies than any other party on the ground.

“Voting for another party other than the ANC is a waste of time,” said Zuma amid cheers from his supporters.

And even though Zuma is surrounded by many controversies such as rape and corruption, opinion polls show that at least 80% of black Africans are likely to cast their ballot in favour of ANC. Opposition parties fear that if ANC wins with a two-thirds majority, it could use its parliamentary majority to make amendments to the constitution in its favour.
However, the ANC refutes these claims.

Zuma was emphatic in his address to the final election rally on Sunday that the ANC would not in any way amend the constitution.

As the polling stations open this morning, the voters’ expectations are high. Many will be voting for change and placing their hopes in the leaders they will elect. All eyes in the African continent will be watching how this African economic giant will fare considering recent elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe have returned unfavourable outcomes and triggered post-election violence.