PRETORIA, April 25, 2009  — More than half of South Africa's registered voters cast ballots for the ruling ANC, according to the election commission's count, clearing the way for party leader Jacob Zuma to become president.

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

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.

Source: AFP

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives | Search