Initial voting outcomes in South Africa's election hint at a potential major political transformation since the end of apartheid.
At 10 a.m., with 13% of the polling stations reporting, the African National Congress (ANC) had 42.5% support. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the official opposition party, had 26% of the votes, while the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)—a splinter group of the ANC—garnered 8.4%. The CSIR, a reputable research organization, predicted that the ANC would win less than 45% of the national vote by morning on Thursday.
Electoral officials emphasized that the official tally could take several days, with some large voting wards taking longer to be tallied. Rural areas, where the ANC has strongholds, often report results later, which can increase the party's results.
If the ANC finishes below the 50% mark, it will have to form a coalition with one or more parties. The extent of its drop could determine whether it needs to strike a deal with a larger opposition party like the DA or EFF to keep ruling.
Another ANC split-off party, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), seems to be performing well in the eastern coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal, where Durban is situated. At 10 a.m., it had 42.3% of the votes there compared to the ANC's 20.1%.
Jacob Zuma, a former ANC leader and current South African president who has been a fierce critic of current ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa, appears to be doing well in KwaZulu-Natal. At 10 a.m., MK, Zuma's party, had 42.3% of the votes there, compared to 20.1% for the ANC. Although Zuma was barred from running for parliament due to a five-year rule after being jailed for contempt of court, his photo still appeared on the ballot.
South Africa's electoral commission has seven days by law to announce the final results. They typically reveal them sooner, with Sunday, June 2, being the set date for this year's announcement.
If the ANC loses its majority, it will have two weeks after the final results are announced to form a new government. If not, a new parliament must gather to elect the national president.
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The African National Congress (ANC)'s potential drop below 50% could lead to cooperation with parties like the DA or EFF in Africa, affecting the political landscape of the continent. dia Africa, with its diverse ecosystem, has been closely watching the election outcomes in South Africa, as they could influence similar movements in other African nations.
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