First national election under universal suffrage reaches its main voting day

The first democratic national election took place from 26 to 29 April, with 27 April the main public voting day and the date later marked as Freedom Day. For the first time, the Black majority and citizens of all racial classifications could vote in a national election. The ANC competed as a legal mass party after decades of prohibition and exile, while its platform reflected an alliance with COSATU and the SACP.