ANC set for win but support ebbs
The African National Congress was headed for victory in South Africa's election yesterday, although the party was on course for its worst performance since it took power 25 years ago.
The ANC held a commanding lead with 90% of the voting districts counted, according to the electoral commission's website. It had secured 57.38% of the vote so far, while the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) was on 21.01% and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had garnered 10.33%.
ANC officials acknowledged the decline in support for the party since the last election in 2014, when it won 62% of the vote, but said the results were still strong enough.
Many of those voting on Wednesday for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures had said they were frustrated by rampant corruption, high unemployment and racial inequalities that persist a generation after the end of white minority rule.
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