Politics

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the EFF have rejected the idea of a Government of National Unity (GNU) suggested by the ANC. With less than 10 days to go for parties to form a coalition government, it seems that three options have been put on the table.

Action SA has announced its withdrawal from the multi-party charter (MPC) it signed with the Democratic Alliance last year. Interim National Chairperson of ActionSA Michael Beaumont addressed the media on Thursday morning with the party's leader Herman Mashaba.

ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri told reporters the party held "explorative" talks with several others, as it attempts to secure enough parliamentary support to form a government and elect a president.

South Africa's ruling ANC awaited the imminent confirmation on Saturday that it had lost its three-decade-old absolute majority and would have to find allies if it is to remain in power. With more than 98 percent of the votes from Wednesday's election counted, President Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress had only 40.15 percent support, a catastrophic slump from the 57.5 it won in 2019.

South Africa's ruling ANC was on track to score its worst electoral result on Friday, with early tallies showing voters deserted the party in droves, ending its 30-year political dominance.

There was a good turnout of first-time voters at polling stations across Algoa Country on Wednesday.

South African voters turned out for a landmark general election on Wednesday, with the ruling ANC's exclusive grip on power in doubt three decades after the advent of democracy. Some 27 million voters are registered for the most uncertain poll since the ruling party led the nation out of apartheid rule, with opposition challenges from both the left and right.

Amnesty International South Africa called on the IEC, political parties, candidates and authorities to ensure that all human rights are upheld during and after the elections.

The leader of the Democratic Alliance in the EC Legislature, Cape Bobby Stevenson, was among the first people to cast their special votes on Monday.