On 27 April 1994 voters stood for hours in queues often stretching over a kilometre long to vote in South Africa's first democratic election. Hopes ran high and fears ran deep in the run-up to the election. For Africans, this was their first chance to vote in a national election, and the majority were determined to cast their vote. A sense of euphoria gripped voters from all races, especially those opposed to apartheid. The election, which took place over a few days, was largely peaceful. The ANC won 63% of the vote, the National Party 20% and the IFP 11%. These parties formed the Government of National Unity.