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ANC is denied two-thirds majority ANC is denied two-thirds majority
(40 minutes later)
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won South Africa's general election but failed to obtain a two-thirds majority, final results show.The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won South Africa's general election but failed to obtain a two-thirds majority, final results show.
The party received 65.9% of about 17m votes, the Democratic Alliance 16.66% and the Congress of the People (Cope) 7.42%, election officials said. The party took 65.9% of about 17m votes, the Democratic Alliance (DA) 16.66% and the Congress of the People (Cope) 7.42%, election officials said.
A two-thirds majority in parliament is needed to change the constitution.A two-thirds majority in parliament is needed to change the constitution.
The outcome clears the way for ANC party leader Jacob Zuma to become president when parliament convenes.The outcome clears the way for ANC party leader Jacob Zuma to become president when parliament convenes.
ANC supporters have been holding celebrations around the country ahead of the announcement of the final results. The ANC lost Western Cape province, centre of the tourist industry, to the DA but it made inroads against the Inkatha Freedom Party in Kwazulu-Natal, home province of Mr Zuma.
RESULTS ANC: 65.90% Democratic Alliance: 16.66%Cope: 7.42%.Votes counted: 17.68mTurnout: 77.3% Source: IEC class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8015714.stm">In pictures: ANC celebrations class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8018267.stm">Can ANC deliver on its promises? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8012903.stm">The shape of a Zuma presidency The election turnout was 77% - 1% higher than in the 2004 election.
The ANC lost the Western Cape province to its rivals - the only such defeat. Party leaders are expected to assemble at the national results centre in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon to hear the formal announcement that will mark the end of the 2009 election.
The election turnout was extremely high, as much as 80% in some places, in the country's fourth and most competitive poll since the end of apartheid 15 years ago. Enigmatic leader
In Kwazu-Natal, home province of ANC leader Jacob Zuma, the ANC says it has taken all the strongholds of the Inkatha Freedom Party, giving it an outright majority there for the first time. The ANC won 69.69% of the vote in the last election in 2004, when it was led by Thabo Mbeki, and 66.35% in 1999.
"It is a joyous if not an outright emotional day for the ANC," the South African Press Association quoted ANC provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu as saying. ELECTION RESULTS ANC: 65.90% Democratic Alliance: 16.66%Cope: 7.42%.Votes counted: 17.68mTurnout: 77.3% Source: IEC class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8015714.stm">In pictures: ANC celebrations class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8018267.stm">Can ANC deliver on its promises? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8018267.stm">Analysis: Zuma's challenges
Mobbed ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi attempted to downplay the drop in support of nearly 4%, saying: "We don't read much into percentages."
Meanwhile, DA leader Helen Zille returned home to Cape Town to a hero's welcome. He repeated that the party did not intend to change the constitution therefore it did not need a two-thirds majority.
Helen Zille (left) received a boisterous welcome in Cape Town
She said the party would be looking to form a coalition.
Analysts say this is likely to be with Cope, formed by dissident ANC supporters of former President Thabo Mbeki who resigned last year after losing a power struggle with Mr Zuma.
Much has been made of the ANC getting two-thirds of the vote, the majority needed to push through constitutional changes.
But the ANC has said it has no intention of changing the constitution as it co-authored it - and Mr Zuma is set to become the country's next leader as parliament elects the president by a simple majority.
Mr Zuma, a populist who spent 10 years in prison during the apartheid era for ANC membership, faces challenges including a struggling economy and soaring violent crime.Mr Zuma, a populist who spent 10 years in prison during the apartheid era for ANC membership, faces challenges including a struggling economy and soaring violent crime.
Charges of corruption against him were dropped just two weeks before the poll after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case.
The BBC's Africa analyst, Martin Plaut, says the ANC leader is still something of an enigma - part Zulu traditionalist, part international leader who jets around the world.
HAVE YOUR SAY I am hoping that Jacob Zuma will lead by example Ntombi, Cape TownHAVE YOUR SAY I am hoping that Jacob Zuma will lead by example Ntombi, Cape Town
Charges of corruption against the 67-year-old were dropped just two weeks before the poll after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case.
The BBC's Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the ANC leader is still something of an enigma - part Zulu traditionalist, part international leader who jets around the world.
During the fight against apartheid Mr Zuma was head of internal security for the ANC, when some people were killed and some tortured.During the fight against apartheid Mr Zuma was head of internal security for the ANC, when some people were killed and some tortured.
It is not clear how much he knew or sanctioned, says our correspondent.It is not clear how much he knew or sanctioned, says our correspondent.
But Mr Zuma is also a skilled conciliator, credited with ending the political violence in KwaZulu-Natal and helping to bring peace to Burundi.But Mr Zuma is also a skilled conciliator, credited with ending the political violence in KwaZulu-Natal and helping to bring peace to Burundi.
Polls praised
DA leader Helen Zille received a hero's welcome in Cape Town to.
Helen Zille (left) received a boisterous welcome in Cape Town
She said the party would be looking to form a coalition.
Analysts say this is likely to be with Cope, formed by dissident ANC supporters of former President Thabo Mbeki who resigned last year after losing a power struggle with Mr Zuma.
African Union observer mission head Salim Ahmed Salim said the poll had been free, fair, transparent and credible.African Union observer mission head Salim Ahmed Salim said the poll had been free, fair, transparent and credible.
Its vibrancy "had done honour not only to the people of South Africa but to Africa as a whole", he said.Its vibrancy "had done honour not only to the people of South Africa but to Africa as a whole", he said.