The ruling African National Congress has established an early lead of 57.6 percent after the partial results of Wednesday’s elections were declared by South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission on Thursday.
The opposition Democratic Alliance are in second place with 25 percent of the provisional results.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are nestled in third position after polling 9 percent of the vote.
The votes counted so far represent 598 of the 707voting districts counted, according to the electoral commission.
If the trend holds, the ANC are on course to win the national elections which had provided a stern test of its popularity amidst widespread disenchantment about the struggling economy, surging unemployment and stalling land reform.
Political analysts say it may not scoop or surpass the 62 percent votes it garnered in the 2014 national elections.
WN/as/APA