South Africa's First Democratic Elections Conclude Amid Voter Confidence and Market Rebound

Nelson Mandela, the leader of the African National Congress, expressed confidence that the country's first democratic elections would be deemed free and fair. Although some areas experienced delays and ballot shortages, voting generally proceeded smoothly. The extension of voting by an extra day in some areas helped to alleviate issues, particularly in remote rural areas. President F. W. de Klerk and Judge Johann Kriegler, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, shared Mandela's optimism.

Key Takeaways:

• The elections were concluded after an extra day of balloting in some areas, primarily in remote rural regions, to address delays, ballot shortages, and administrative confusion.
• Nelson Mandela, the leader of the African National Congress, voiced confidence that the elections would be judged free and fair.
• Judge Johann Kriegler, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, stated that the voting extension had served its purpose, with "no reason to say it isn't" free and fair.
• Balloting in the Zulu heartland appeared to proceed relatively smoothly, with fewer voters turning out than on previous days.
• Hundreds of additional watchdogs were deployed to Natal to ensure the voting process was fair.
• The financial markets surged with foreign investors favorably influenced by signs of a peaceful election outcome.

Statistics:

• The balloting in the Zulu heartland saw fewer voters on the fourth day, with approximately 500 ballots cast at the magistrate's office, compared to about 1,500 on each of the previous two days.
• More than 30 people were arrested in connection with a series of bombings that killed 21 people and injured scores in the Johannesburg area.
• The police declared 15 towns west and southwest of Johannesburg as unrest areas, granting them expanded powers to detain people and break up public gatherings.
• Voting laws prohibited exit polls, meaning no basis existed for computer forecasts, and a complete picture of the outcome wouldn't emerge until some time on Sunday.

Sources:

• "South Africa's First Democratic Elections Conclude Amid Voter Confidence and Market Rebound" (April 1994) - [Assumes New York Times source is correct and the specific date is not provided within the text]
• Reuters (April 1994)
• University of Stellenbosch student