With about 96% of the results in, the ANC has 62% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22%.

 

The BBC's Andrew Harding says inequality, unemployment and corruption¹ are big problems but the electorate² has shown it has not lost faith in the ANC. 

 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is in third place with 6%.

 

The electoral commission said voting passed off peacefully in most areas, with turnout at just over 73%.

 

The elections are the first since the death in December of Nelson Mandela - the country's first black president - and mark 20 years since the end of white-minority rule.

 

Dissatisfaction with the government has been growing over high levels of unemployment, a lack of basic services and allegations of widespread corruption. 

 

Our correspondent says the ANC is likely to use its impressive mandate³ to try to drive through its National Development Plan - rejecting nationalisation, and emphasising investment and infrastructure⁴. 

 

The business-friendly plan has alarmed South Africa's powerful unions - some of which may soon break away to form their own party, he says. 

 

He adds that, on 6%, the EFF are no threat to the ANC but their aggressive populism will keep ministers on their toes, and South African politics more abrasive⁵ than ever. 

 

The DA has increased its share of the vote from 17% in the last election to 22%, according to the latest results.

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