Partial outcome: Notable defeats for ANC in South Africa's legislative polls
The most powerful force so far, as per the early findings, is the left-leaning Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by ex-ANC member Julius Malema, who garnered nine percent. Right behind them is the MK party from former President and ANC chairperson Jacob Zuma with an eight percent share.
The initial results haven't incorporated findings from significant metropolises like Johannesburg and Durban, as explained by the Electoral Commission. The conclusive figures will be calculated by the weekend. These preliminary reports align with experts' tips and survey results from recent weeks.
Political analyst Daniel Silke stated, "The ANC has received a severe jolt. It's a surprise for the ANC system and will ultimately also be a shock for the average South African, who has known only ANC rule since 1994." The election has significantly reshaped the political landscape of South Africa and spawned a certain sense of confusion, he added.
If President Cyril Ramaphosa falls short of a 50% majority, he'd have to seek out coalition partners to be re-elected and tasked with government formation. This would represent a historic turning point in the nation's history, which witnessed its first free, democratic elections in 1994.
Although the ANC has a respected status after dismantling segregation and ending white minority rule, its social and economic policies aimed at uplifting the black majority have successfully lifted millions of black families out of poverty.
However, ongoing corruption scandals involving ANC leadership, high unemployment, a struggling economy, elevated crime rates, unbalanced distribution of wealth, and frequent power outages have caused many South Africans to disassociate from the ruling party.
Over 27.6 million voters were urged on Wednesday to cast their votes in favor of the composition of the 400-seat parliament, which will later determine the new president in June.
In several voting districts, people spent hours waiting in line, while others had to keep polling stations open longer than planned. This prolonged wait was the result of excessive voter turnout and late city dwellers reaching the polls, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The overall turnout is predicted to surpass the 66% from 2019.
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- Despite the ANC facing notable defeats in the Parliamentary election, the Democratic Alliance managed to secure a decent share of votes in Johannesburg, potentially influencing the upcoming partial results.
- The Democratic Alliance, led by Mmusi Maimane, looks set to make substantial gains in South Africa's legislative polls, as partial results show the party making inroads in traditionally ANC-held strongholds like Johannesburg and Durban.
- The Democratic Alliance, with its campaign focused on political accountability and economic transformation, is poised to make significant strides in the Parliamentary election, offering a clear alternative to the ailing ANC in urban centers like Johannesburg and Durban.
- Meanwhile, in Durban, the Democratic Alliance expects to achieve strong results, poised to challenge the ANC's dominance in the region, as per recent polling data and pundit projections.
- Civil society and opposition parties, such as the Democratic Alliance, Nelson Mandela's erstwhile party, have seized upon the ANC's waning support and elevated the public discourse on political accountability, corruption, and economic empowerment.
- With the Democratic Alliance making headway in Johannesburg and Durban, Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters and the remnants of Jacob Zuma's MK party are poised to split the remaining ANC votes, resulting in substantial losses for the ruling party.
- The Democratic Alliance, looking to build upon their recent momentum, aims to sway undecided voters in Johannesburg and Durban, cementing their status as the main opposition to the ANC in South Africa's Parliamentary election.
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