Most significant elections since 1994, analysts say

The 2009 elections are likely to draw in a new segment of voters, and produce an outcome that may completely change South Africa's political landscape. The elections could also shed some light on the prominence of trans-racial politics in this country, 15 years after the democratic breakthrough. For starters, the historically dominant African National Congress (ANC) will contest this election in an unusually weak state. The ruling party is vulnerable and its party machinery appears weakened. A symptom that things were not right in the organisation was the failure of the provincial leadership in the Western Cape to register the party for the recent municipal by-elections in the province. The ANC was consequently barred from participating and lost numerous seats to opposition parties.