South Africa Election: ANC Leads as Votes Counted

Votes are currently being counted for South Africa’s general election, with President Cyril Ramaphosa hoping to prevent a slide in support for the governing African National Congress. 

Results have been declared in some 34% of districts, with the ANC wining about 56% of the ballot, well ahead of the opposition. 

The governing party took 62% at the last election in 2014. Yet since then anger over the economy and corruption have since eroded its appeal. 

The Radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is in third place with 9%, based on the official early results. 

Provincial results are also being highly anticipated, particularly in Gauteng, where the opposition is hoping to make inroads. 

If the ANC vote drops below 50% it could lose control of the biggest, richest province to an opposition alliance, reports the BBC Andrew Harding in Johannesburg. 

The ANC currently controls high of South Africa’s nine provinces.