ANC leads S. Africa parliamentary election

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-25-2009 09:21

South Africa's long-dominant governing party, the African National Congress or ANC, looks assured of retaining power with general election results soon to be announced. As the results came in, regional observers attested that South African parliamentary elections are overall free and fair.

ANC supporters chant slogans during victory celebrations at Nasrec in Johannesburg, April 24, 2009. South Africa's  ruling African National Congress claimed victory on Friday in a general election that will make party leader Jacob  Zuma president.REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Preliminary results from the 12.63 million ballots so far counted from Wednesday's election showed that Jacob Zuma's ANC party was leading the vote with 66.91 percent.

The Democratic Alliance followed with 15.91 percent. And the Congress of the People was trailing with 7.66 percent.

Parliament elects South Africa's president by a simple majority. This puts Zuma in line for the post when the new assembly votes in May.