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South Africa vote count under way South Africa vote count under way
(about 5 hours later)
Votes are being counted in South Africa after a high general election turnout led to long queues at polling stations and a shortage of ballot papers.Votes are being counted in South Africa after a high general election turnout led to long queues at polling stations and a shortage of ballot papers.
Voting was extended in some areas amid fears ballot papers were running out, and some ballot boxes were full. Voting was extended in some areas amid fears ballot papers were running out and some ballot boxes were full.
The election passed off peacefully, with no reports of political violence or intimidation.The election passed off peacefully, with no reports of political violence or intimidation.
Monday's poll was the country's fourth general election since the end of apartheid 15 years ago. The final count will not be known for days but early partial results show a commanding lead for Jacob Zuma's ANC.
The election is expected to be the most competitive since the end of apartheid in 1994. The ruling ANC - led by Jacob Zuma - is expected to win. With less than one fifth of votes counted, partial results showed the ruling ANC had some 60% of the vote and the opposition Democratic Alliance around 20%.
But it could lose the two-thirds majority in parliament which allows it to change the constitution. The newly formed Congress of the People (Cope) - formed last year by a group which split from the ANC after ex-President Thabo Mbeki was replaced as leader - had garnered around 8% of vote.
Among the ANC's rivals is a new party - Congress of the People (Cope) - formed last year by a group which split from the ANC after ex-President Thabo Mbeki was replaced as leader. The BBC's Jonah Fisher at the election results centre in Pretoria says it is clear the ANC has come out on top and it is just a question of how big their majority will be.
Charges of corruption against Mr Zuma were dropped just two weeks before the poll, after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case. Charges of corruption against Mr Zuma were dropped just two weeks before the poll after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case.
High turnoutHigh turnout
The first results were due in the early hours of Thursday, but the BBC's Peter Biles, in Pretoria, says it will be some time yet before a clear trend emerges. Monday's poll was the country's fourth general election since the end of apartheid 15 years ago.
In pictures: South Africa votes Your pictures: At the pollsIn pictures: South Africa votes Your pictures: At the polls
Our correspondent says a high turnout - estimated at around 80% - could benefit the ANC. While a high turnout - estimated at almost 80% - could benefit the ANC, our correspondent says the party may struggle to retain its two-thirds majority in the face of increased competition.
But he says the party might struggle to retain its two-thirds majority in the face of increased competition.
Braving wintry weather on Wednesday, long queues of voters formed outside many of the 20,000 polling stations catering for 23 million registered voters around the country.Braving wintry weather on Wednesday, long queues of voters formed outside many of the 20,000 polling stations catering for 23 million registered voters around the country.
Later in the day reports began to emerge of a surge in demand for ballot papers and long queues at polling stations.Later in the day reports began to emerge of a surge in demand for ballot papers and long queues at polling stations.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille has threatened to take the IEC to court over the shortage of ballot papers, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported. Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille has threatened to take the IEC to court over the shortage of ballot papers, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reports.
She said 24 voting stations had run out of ballot papers in parts of Gauteng and Cape Town - areas where her party has a strong following, according to the SABC.She said 24 voting stations had run out of ballot papers in parts of Gauteng and Cape Town - areas where her party has a strong following, according to the SABC.
'Voting for change' Second place fight
Many of the new voters were young people who have little memory of the struggle to end white minority rule, which brought the ANC to power. Many of the new voters were young people who had little memory of the struggle to end white minority rule, which brought the ANC to power.
Zille responds to charges of running a negative campaignZille responds to charges of running a negative campaign
Analysts say Cope's emergence energised the early stages of the election campaign, but the party's popularity seems to have diminished in recent weeks. Analysts say Cope's emergence energised the early stages of the election campaign but the party's popularity seems to have diminished in recent weeks.
Cope fielded a relatively unknown presidential candidate, former Bishop Mvume Dandala, who analysts say has struggled to make an impact. Cope fielded a relatively unknown presidential candidate, former Bishop Mvume Dandala who, analysts say, has struggled to make an impact.
Some say the real battle is between Cope and the Democratic Alliance - for second place. Some say the real battle is between Cope and the Democratic Alliance for second place.
Neither party has ruled out entering into a coalition after the election.Neither party has ruled out entering into a coalition after the election.