These elections take place every five years. They determine who will rule the country and how many seats each political party will have in parliament. They also determine which party will run each province.
The first democratic elections were held in 1994. The ANC won the elections with 63% of the vote.
The last National Elections were held in 1999 when the ANC won 66.35% of the vote. You can view the results of the provincial election online.
The next elections will be in 2004.
To vote in the elections, you first need to be registered on the Voters' Roll. You will then be able to vote at the voting station in that area that you are registered in. More details on where voting stations are, and how to vote, will be available closer to the time.
You enter the voting station and your name is checked against the Voters' Roll to make sure that you are registered and that you haven't already voted.
Your thumb is inked to prevent you from trying to vote twice.
You are given a ballot paper which contains a list of all the parties.
You mark your ballot in private.
Finally, you cast your vote, by placing the marked ballot paper in the sealed voting box.