ANC heading for massive victory

All eyes are now on the results centre in Pretoria

South Africa's ruling African National Congress appears to be heading for its biggest ever election victory, 10 years since the end of apartheid.

The ANC has some 70% of votes counted so far, with the opposition Democratic Alliance polling around 14%.

A high turnout of almost 80% was estimated among the 21 million voters.

The country's main polling group is forecasting that the ANC will win a two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time.

This would enable the party to change the constitution, although it says it has no intention of doing so.

The results are being verified and electronically sent through to the capital, Pretoria.

There, huge display boards are being constantly updated with results from the national election and the race for the provincial government seats.

With rural votes coming in more slowly, the ANC is tipped to strengthen its position further.

It says it has widened its appeal among non-black voters.

RESULT SO FAR ANC: 70% DA: 14% IFP: 5% NNP: 2% Votes counted: 60% Voting in Soweto

Such was the enthusiasm on Wednesday that some turned up even before the polls opened.

Many polling stations stayed open well beyond their scheduled closing time as those standing in long queues were given a chance to vote.

But the Independent Electoral Commission said voting had passed off smoothly with only minor glitches.

'Through hell'

The 400 newly elected MPs will in turn choose the president.

With the ANC heading for a huge majority in parliament, President Thabo Mbeki is set to be sworn in for his second five-year term in office on 27 April, the day South Africa celebrates a decade of democracy.

This is despite widespread criticism of his handling of HIV/Aids, poverty, unemployment and crime.

South Africans share their feelings as they vote.

In pictures

The BBC's Barnaby Phillips in Johannesburg notes that opposition parties have had to struggle to win over substantial numbers of black people.

Apartheid is a bitter memory, he says, and South Africans still tend to vote along racial lines.

"The ANC held our hand and brought us through hell," said Noluthando Nokwando, a 66-year-old grandmother from a Cape Town township told AP news agency.

"We can give them a chance - and our respect - for another five years."

Fraud claims

The ANC is also ahead in the two provinces where it did not previously enjoy a majority.

The ANC is hoping to take KwaZulu-Natal from the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party.

THE PAST DECADE Achievements 1.6m new houses built for poor Stable economy, low inflation 70% households electrified 9m access to water Challenges 30% unemployment 5.3m with HIV/Aids Massive wealth inequality Crime Voting in pictures Election in quotes

Some violent incidents have been reported but on nothing like the scale of previous elections.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said that the shooting on Tuesday night of an IFP official and the alleged harassment of traditional Zulu leaders were "signs that the election is not free and fair" in the province.

The ANC is also leading the opposition Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape, where many voters are white or coloured (mixed-race).

The ruling party during the apartheid era, the New National Party, has seen its support drop dramatically.