The preliminary results released by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Thursday showed that the current ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is in the lead in the general election as the counting continues.

The IEC said that with 24.58 percent of votes counted, the ANC is leading with 54.81 percent of the votes. The opposition Democratic Alliance is next with 26.30 percent, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are third with 8.17 percent.

Freedom Front Plus ranks fourth with 3.25 percent while other small parties are below 1 percent.

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South Africa 2019 election: A referendum on Ramaphosa

The IEC said in a statement that "despite isolated incidents where voting operations were adversely affected by inclement weather, community unrest, power outages and some logistical challenges," the voting progressed smoothly in most areas.

The voting took place on Wednesday and results are expected to be announced by Saturday. 

It is seen as the toughest test yet for the ANC since it swept to power at the end of white minority rule 25 years ago. Opinion polls suggest the party will again win a majority of the parliament's 400 seats, but analysts say its margin of victory may fall from the 62 percent of the vote it secured in the last election in 2014 because of frustration with slow progress addressing racial disparities in income and wealth.

The election for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures is the first barometer of national sentiment since President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma as head of state in February 2018.

Ivor Sarakinsky, a professor at Wits University, told CGTN that the election is a test of whether Ramaphosa is able to "restructure, reform the ANC and make the ANC electable in terms of resolving all the controversies of his predecessors."

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: An IEC officer opens a ballot box as counting begins at the Addington Primary School in Durban, South Africa, May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo)