Election campaign in pictures

South Africa's general election campaign has been a colourful affair dominated by Nelson Mandela's standing down as president.

President Mandela acknowledges the warm applause from ANC supporters.

Huge crowds turned out for a Soweto rally to say goodbye to President Nelson Mandela and greet his successor and the man expected to be the next South African President, Thabo Mbeki.

You can run but not hide from South Africa's election campaign.

Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has done most of his campaigning in and around his stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal.

An ANC supporter in Cape Town believes he has every reason to smile. The contest in Western Cape is expected to be very close.

Sowetans have the oppotunity to vote for the second time in a general election.

United Democratic Party deputy leader Roelf Meyer is a former minister from apartheid days. There appears little doubt that the ANC will again win a majority of the vote.

Thabo Mbeki will want to make his own mark yet Nelson Mandela will be a huge influence in the background. The ANC would like to win two-thirds of the vote and give themselves constitution changing powers.

On election day soldiers will be too busy so they vote in advance.

Praying for a peaceful election day on Wednesday.

To see the voting in pictures click here.