The preliminary results of the parliamentary elections in South Africa depict a significant shift in the political landscape as the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces a monumental decline. With 98% of districts counted, ANC secured only 40.15% of the votes, a sharp fall from the 57.50% it garnered in the 2019 elections. This drop marks the first instance in nearly three decades where ANC failed to maintain a parliamentary majority.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the largest opposition, capitalized on this decline, coming in second with 21.72% of the vote. The Umkhonto We Sizwe Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, ranked third with 14.83%. Despite these percentages, ANC’s loss is historic as it disrupts a longstanding dominance that began with the end of apartheid and the inception of democracy in 1994.
South Africa's proportional voting system implies that the final distribution of seats in the National Assembly will dictate the formation of the next government. With more than 27 million votes expected and 98% of ballots already counted, the ANC needs to seek coalition partners to govern effectively.
Economic hurdles, including recession, unemployment, and infrastructure collapse, have severely impacted the reputation and support for the ANC over the past decade, contributing to its current predicational standing.
The Independent Electoral Commission is expected to announce the final results within a week. Once declared, the new assembly will have 14 days to convene and elect a new president for the country.
- In the initial stages of vote counting, with 7,658 out of 23,293 seats accounted for, the ANC had 42.19% of the votes. Historically, the party has weathered many challenges, but this election highlights its growing struggle with internal issues and the broader dissatisfaction amongst South Africans.
- The outcome of this election will significantly affect South Africa's political future, as the ruling party must navigate negotiations and alliances to sustain governance. Eyes are now on the potential coalition formations that could redefine South Africa's political landscape.
