ANC Misses Two-Thirds Majority

Final results clear the way for Zuma presidency

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2009 10:10 AM CDT

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ANC Misses Two-Thirds Majority — African National Congress presidential candidate Jacob Zuma, fourth from right, reacts, outside ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday April 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

The African National Congress easily won South Africa’s general election as predicted, but it failed to get a two-thirds majority that would have given it greater muscle, BBC reports. The ANC received 65.9% of approximately 17 million votes, putting Jacob Zuma in line to be president. A two-thirds majority would have allowed the ANC to change the constitution and enact major legislation unchallenged—and possibly protect Zuma from corruption charges.

“It is a joyous if not an outright emotional day for the ANC,” said the party’s provincial secretary, glossing over a 4-point drop in support from the last election. (Read more South Africa stories.)