The governing African National Congress (ANC) is poised for victory in South Africa’s national and provincial elections as more than 75 percent of the votes had been counted by Friday morning.
According to figures published by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the ANC was leading the vote tally, with 57.21 percent of the popular vote as at 7.45am (0545 GMT).
The Democratic Alliance was a distant second, with 21.81 percent of the vote, while the militant Economic Freedom Fighters was third, having garnered 10.09 percent of the tally.
Inkatha Freedom Party had overtaken Freedom Front (FF) Plus and was now in fourth place, with 2.93 percent of the votes against 2.47 percent for FF Plus. The latter was in fourth place on Thursday.
A total of 48 parties contested the elections that took place on May 8.
Final results are expected to be announced by Saturday.
The party that wins most seats in parliament selects the president, who will be sworn in on May 25.
The ruling party was also leading in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces, with the DA being ahead in Western Cape, a region it has traditionally controlled.
JN/APA