Zuma calls for 'massive' turnout

Pretoria, 21 April-(ANA)-Jacob Zuma has said his party expects a "massive" turnout in South African elections to be held on Wednesday.

The African National Congress (ANC) leader encouraged supporters to make this the biggest turnout in the country's history.

He said the emergence of the opposition Congress of the People (Cope) had "re-energised" the ANC.

These elections are the "most exciting" the ANC has had to fight since coming to power in 1994, he said.

The party split last year with disaffected members forming Cope.

Mr Zuma has also faced corruption charges which were dismissed by a court with just weeks to go before voting.

"There is no cloud above my head, there is not even a mist," he told journalists in his final press briefing before polls open.

The ANC is widely expected to win by a big margin, which would lead to Mr Zuma being elected by the members of parliament. (ANA)

FA/ANA/21 April 2009---