Johannesburg. In the result of the historic election in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) did not get majority in the Parliament. The ANC party, which freed South Africa from apartheid, thus lost the majority for the first time in 30 years. 100 percent counting of votes for the election held on Wednesday has been completed and the ruling ANC has got more than 40 percent votes which is less than the majority. The Election Commission said in the official announcement of the election results on Sunday that the ANC has won 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly of South Africa.
The ANC led by President Cyril Ramaphosa has lost its majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela was elected 30 years ago in 1994. However, Ramaphosa has refused to resign despite not getting a majority and unprecedented coalition talks have begun between various parties to form a government in the country.
Opposition parties hailed it as a significant breakthrough for a country struggling with poverty and inequality. Though the ANC somehow remained the largest party, it will now have to find coalition partners to remain in government and re-elect President Ramaphosa for a second term. After the national election, parliament elects the South African president.
The result ends the ANC’s three-decades of dominance in South Africa, but the path ahead for Africa’s most advanced economy is complicated with no coalition partner yet willing to negotiate.
The main opposition party ‘Democratic Alliance’ got about 21 percent of the votes. Former President Jacob Zuma’s new ‘MK Party’ came in third place with more than 14 percent of the votes in its first election. ‘Economic Freedom Fighters’ came in fourth place with more than nine percent of the votes. The round of talks to form a government has begun and it is likely to be quite complicated.
The MK Party said one of its conditions for any agreement was that Ramaphosa be removed as ANC leader and president. “We are ready to negotiate with the ANC, but not with Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC,” said MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela. More than 50 parties took part in the national election. The ANC is far from the magic figure of a majority and is likely to have to approach one of the three main opposition parties.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said, “We have been saying for the last 30 years that the way to save South Africa is to end the ANC’s majority and we have done that.” Electoral Commission chairman Mosotho Mpoya said it was time for everyone to remain calm. He said, “It is time for leaders to lead and maintain the voice of reason.”
Tags: South africa
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 2, 2024, 23:39 IST
