ANC on track for ‘worst-ever’ electoral result

SOUTH AFRICA – The ANC remained on track to score its worst electoral result ever on Friday. Early tallies showed voters deserting the party in droves, ending its 30-year political dominance.

If the party is confirmed as dropping below 50% of the vote, it would force the party to seek coalition partners to be re-elected to form a new government.

That would mark a historic evolution in the country’s democratic journey, as the party has enjoyed an absolute parliamentary majority since 1994.

With over 60% of the voting districts completed, the ANC stood at 42% – well below the 57% it won in 2019.

The DA remained on course to continue as the official opposition with 23% of the vote.

The governing party is at risk of losing its majority in KwaZulu-Natal to former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe party, which is also performing well nationally. It has 11% of the vote, pushing the EFF (9%) to fourth.