ANC wins absolute majority in SAfrica polls

The African National Congress had taken 11.6 million votes, more than half of the nation's 23 million registered voters, according to the election commission's tally early Saturday, giving the party an unassailable lead.

The African National Congress had taken 11.6 million votes, more than half of the nation's 23 million registered voters, according to the election commission's tally early Saturday, giving the party an unassailable lead.

HT Image

The party faces no more obstacles to naming its popular but controversial leader Jacob Zuma as president when parliament convenes early next month.

With 99 percent of ballots counted, the ANC looked set to fall just short of a two-thirds majority, with its nearest rival the opposition Democratic Alliance at 16.54 percent.

The upstart Congress of the People was trailing at 7.42 percent, with minor parties dividing the rest.