Ramaphosa’s ANC takes early lead in South Africa election

Early results made available by South Africa’s electoral commission show that the African National Congress (ANC) is leading the polls.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC is seeking re-election for another five year term.

Results started trickling in early Thursday morning after millions of South Africans went to the polls on Wednesday for national and provincial elections that could test the ANC’s 30-year hold on power.

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Although final results are expected on Sunday, the ANC has so far garnered 42.58 percent of votes cast, with John Steenhuisen’s Democratic Alliance (DA) coming second with 25.82 percent.

Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters party are in third place with 8.47 percent, while the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party backed by former President Jacob Zuma, who was part of the ANC until he was suspended in January, has 7.83 percent of the votes.