South Africa’s ruling ANC holds strong lead in national vote

The ruling African National Congress held a comfortable lead Thursday after more than half the votes were counted from South Africa’s presidential and parliamentary election, but it received lower support than in the previous ballot five years ago. Opposition parties alleged corruption by the ANC.

Voter turnout fell to 65% from 74% in 2014. The ANC won 57% of the vote after 60% of the polling districts were counted, according to the electoral commission. The party received 62% of the vote in 2014.