The results from South Africa’s highly anticipated election are starting to come in, with the African National Congress (ANC) facing the possibility of losing its majority for the first time in 30 years. The late voting surge on Wednesday kept many polling stations open late into the night, with snaking queues of eager voters.
Since the historic 1994 election, the ANC has been the dominant party in South Africa, but issues such as high unemployment, crime, power blackouts, and corruption have led to a decline in support. This election could mark a turning point in the country’s politics, as smaller parties may play a crucial role in forming a coalition government.
As of early Thursday morning, less than 1% of the more than 23,000 polling stations have reported their results. The ANC is currently leading with around 54% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance at 20% and the Economic Freedom Fighters at 8%. Former president Jacob Zuma’s new party is sitting at roughly 5%.
Analysts are waiting for results from 5% of polling stations to make more accurate predictions. The chief electoral officer has indicated that voter turnout is likely higher than in the previous election, with over 27 million people registered to vote this year.
The election commission has seven days to release full provisional results, but officials are aiming for a Sunday announcement. The outcome of this election could reshape the political landscape of South Africa for years to come.