South Africa: The ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid lost majority, got 40 percent votes

In the historic election results in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) did not get a majority in the Parliament. The ANC party, which freed South Africa from apartheid, lost the majority for the first time in 30 years.

About 99 percent of the votes have been counted in the elections held on Wednesday. In this, the ANC has got only 40 percent votes. Nelson Mandela’s party got 57.5 percent votes in the 2019 parliamentary elections. The final results are yet to be formally declared by the Election Commission. Opposition parties have called it an important success for the country struggling with deep poverty and inequality.

However, the ANC will still remain the largest party. But, an alliance will have to be formed to remain in the government and re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa. After the national elections, the Parliament elects the South African President. According to the results so far, the main opposition party Democratic Alliance has received 21 percent of the votes.

At the same time, former President Jacob Zuma’s party New MK Party has got 14 percent of the votes. Parliament will elect the President within 14 days of the official announcement of the election results. The MK Party said that it is ready for any agreement with the ANC Party but Ramaphosa should be removed from the post of ANC leader and President. More than 50 parties contested the national elections.