(TALKZIMBABWE) ANC leading polls, Zuma to address rally

ANC leading polls, Zuma to address rally
Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:04:00 +0000

RESULTS coming from South Africa's general elections give the ruling African National Congress party a solid lead, as expected. If confirmed, these results will lead controversial but popular party leader Jacob Zuma to the presidency.

With just over a tenth of ballots counted, the ANC party had around 63 percent of the vote. The newly formed Congress of the People, or COPE, which splintered from the ANC last year, trailed well behind with about seven percent.

Preliminary results show the strongest opposition support went to the Democratic Alliance, with 20 percent overall and a strong lead in the Western Cape Province.

It is still unclear whether the ANC will retain its two-thirds majority in parliament that allows it to amend the constitution without the cooperation of jnsdjkld other parties.

Although the vote was peaceful in much of the country, a COPE official in Eastern Cape province was shot dead, in what party officials are calling a political killing.

The Independent Electoral Commission estimates so far that more than 76 percent of the 23 million registered voters cast ballots.

ANC's leader Zuma is poised to take over the nation's highest office after overcoming a rape charge and repeated corruption charges that he dismissed as politically motivated.

The ANC ran on a populist platform, promising improved social services and poverty reduction in a country facing serious challenges from unemployment, poverty, and HIV.

Some voters said Wednesday they were encouraged by the emergence of the new opposition party. COPE was formed by a faction of the ANC that was angered when party leaders forced South African President Thabo Mbeki to resign last year.

Others cheered and sang in support of the ruling party as former President Nelson Mandela and the ANC's leader, Zuma, cast their votes.

While provisional results from each voting station may be released before the final totals, official results are not expected before Saturday.

Meanwhile, African National Congress President Jacob Zuma will address the ruling party's post election celebration party in Johannesburg this afternoon, according to a statement.

The celebration, which will also be addressed by leaders from the ANC-SACP-COSATU-SANCO Alliance, will start at 5pm. It will be held in the Library gardens area adjacent to ANC headquarters Chief Albert Luthuli House, on the corner Sauer and President streets.

"The ANC thanks millions of South Africans for casting their vote, giving the ANC a renewed mandate to deliver on key priorities outlined in the Election Manifesto. We would also thank young people for turning up in large numbers in the polls. The violence-free and peaceful election is an indication of the deepening of our constitutional democracy," the ANC statement said.

- TZG/VOA/Reuters/AP