Zuma poised to become S. African president

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-23-2009 13:43

The Chief Executive Officer of the South African Independent Electoral Commission has admitted there was a shortage of ballots for voters in several electorates across the country. Meanwhile, African National Congress candidate Jacob Zuma is widely expected to win the election.

African National Congress (ANC) president  Jacob Zuma, right, casts his ballot at the  Ntolwane primary school in the village of  Kwanxamabala, South Africa, Wednesday,  April 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A record 23 million South Africans voted on Wednesday in the election. But polling officials said some stations had temporary ballot shortages or struggled because ballot boxes filled so quickly.

The ANC views Jacob Zuma as the first leader who can energize voters since the legendary Nelson Mandela.

But as the votes were being counted, opposition parties began criticizing the IEC.

The Democratic Alliance President questioned the competence of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Helen Zille, Democratic Alliance President, said, " Well, it was a great pity that the IEC could not get its act together and could not get the basics right, like enough ballot papers to voting stations and even enough ballot boxes."