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ANC takes lead in election count ANC takes lead in election count
(about 1 hour later)
Early results have given South Africa's ANC a big lead in the general election but it is too soon to say if it has retained its two-thirds majority. Early results have given South Africa's ANC a big lead in the general election, paving the way for controversial party leader Jacob Zuma to become president.
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 ANC has 64% - just short of the two-thirds majority it would need if it wanted to change the constitution.
A leader of the opposition Cope party was shot dead in Eastern Cape but the vote appeared otherwise peaceful. With a quarter of votes counted, the Democratic Alliance has 21% and the newly formed Cope just 8%. Turnout was high at 77%.
The final, official results will not be known for days. A Cope leader was shot dead but the vote appeared otherwise peaceful.
With almost a quarter of votes counted, partial results showed the ruling ANC of Jacob Zuma had some 64% of the vote and the opposition Democratic Alliance around 21%. The final, official results will not be known for days but the margin of the ANC's victory might become clear later on Thursday.
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.
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.
With parliament electing the president, it looks likely that an ANC-controlled assembly will emerge to pick Mr Zuma as the country's leader next month.
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, and most competitive, general election since the end of apartheid 15 years ago.
RESULTS SO FAR ANC: 64%Democratic Alliance: 21%Cope: 8%Votes counted: 25%Turnout: 77% Source: IEC In pictures: South Africa votes Your pictures: At the polls RESULTS SO FAR ANC: 64%Democratic Alliance: 21%Cope: 8%Votes counted: 25%Turnout: 77% Source: IEC In pictures: South Africa votes Your pictures: At the polls class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8012903.stm">The shape of a Zuma presidency
Voting at some polling stations was allowed to go on late into the night because of an earlier shortage of ballot papers and boxes.
Turnout was comparable to the last general election in 2004, when it was 76% and the ANC won 70% of the vote.Turnout was comparable to the last general election in 2004, when it was 76% and the ANC won 70% of the vote.
Results are still expected from many big townships, where the ANC is expected to do well.Results are still expected from many big townships, where the ANC is expected to do well.
In contrast, Cope seems not to have done as well as it had hoped in the Eastern Cape province, where it had been expected to do well. The Congress of the People (Cope) has just 11% of votes so far from the Eastern Cape province, where it had been expected to do well.
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, where her party has a strong following and she is mayor.
In Eastern Cape Province, Cope official Gerlad Yona was shot and mortally wounded when three armed men attacked his home, a party spokesman said. In Eastern Cape, 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.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 campaign Cope was formed by ANC dissidents who supported former President Thabo Mbeki, who resigned last year after losing a power struggle with Mr Zuma.
Mr Mbeki has denied accusations that his government used the corruption charges against Mr Zuma to try and prevent his rival rising to the presidency.
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.