#Elections2016: ANC takes lead from DA

The ANC has quickly snatched the lead from the DA at national level as more results come in

The ANC has quickly snatched the lead from the DA at national level as more results come in, now standing at 59.50 percent, compared to the DA’s 30.10 percent, with 27 of 22 612 voting districts completed.

The DA took the lead in the first results of the night, taking 45.45 percent of votes in a single voting district in Ward 6 in Great Kei in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape, to the ANC’s 31.28 percent.

Independents took 22.73 percent.

But the next two wards have gone to the ANC, which has also taken the first voting districts in the Free State and North West.

However, the DA has won the first nine of 710 voting districts in the Eastern Cape.

The first result was announced by IEC chairman Glen Mashinini, who says it was “a moment of pride” for him to do so.

The IEC says it has just finished consulting its provincial electoral officers and word on the ground is the majority of voting stations have closed, with about 10 percent still operating to accommodate those still in the queue.

No extensions have been granted to voting hours, meaning no late arrivals will be allowed to vote.

Meanwhile the ANC has encouraged voters still in the queue to stick it out and be sure to make their cross, despite the cold weather.

“We are encouraged that despite adverse weather conditions, patriotic South Africans are displaying resilience by remaining in the queue,” the ANC says.

Political Bureau