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South Africa vote count under way ANC takes lead in election count
(20 minutes 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. Early results have given South Africa's ANC a big lead in the general election but it is too early to say if it has retained its two-thirds majority.
Voting was extended in some areas amid fears ballot papers were running out and some ballot boxes were full. Voting at some polling stations was allowed to go on late into the night because of an earlier shortage of ballot papers and boxes.
The election passed off peacefully, with no reports of political violence or intimidation. A leader of the opposition Cope party was shot dead in Eastern Cape but the vote appeared otherwise peaceful.
The final count will not be known for days but early partial results show a commanding lead for Jacob Zuma's ANC. The final, official results will not be known for days.
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%. With less than one fifth of votes counted, partial results showed the ruling ANC of Jacob Zuma had some 60% of the vote and the opposition Democratic Alliance around 20%.
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. Cope (Congress of the People), formed last year by a group which split from the ANC after ex-President Thabo Mbeki was replaced as leader, garnered around 8% of the vote.
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
Monday's poll was the country's fourth general election since the end of apartheid 15 years ago.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
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. Turnout was comparable to the last general election in 2004, when it was 76% and the ANC won 70% of the vote.
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) reports.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.
In Eastern Cape Province, Cope official Gerlad Yona was shot and mortally wounded when three armed men attacked his home, a party spokesman said.
Nkosifikile Gqomo said the party believed the attack was linked to politics.
Second place fightSecond place fight
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.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.