South Africa's ruling African National Congress has won the national election by winning over 57 percent of the vote. The party has also returned to the National Assembly with 230 seats. CGTN's Yolisa Njamela has more.

GLEN MASHININI, CHAIRPERSON INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION "For the sixth time and the 26th year in a row, the majority party in the National Assembly of South Africa will be the African National Congress with 230 seats."

And that's how the 2019 national general elections wrapped up. The governing ANC, with just over 10 million votes, secured 230 seats in the Sixth Parliament.

The ruling party lost 19 seats. The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, also lost 5 seats.

While the third largest political party - the Economic Freedom Fighters, almost doubled their Parliament presence, going from 25 to 44 seats after getting 1.8 million votes in the 2019 elections.

Millions of South Africans braved the weather and travelled distances to go to their respective voting stations to cast their votes on May 8.

Despite the challenges which included a widely reported issue of some people being suspected of voting twice, the Electoral Commission is satisfied with the process and outcome.

SY MAMABOLO CEO, INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION "Despite these challenges, it is our incontrovertible belief that we have come through this election even stronger as an institution and we've through these elections even stronger as a people. We've come through these elections even stronger as a country."

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the 2019 provincial and national elections as a resounding expression of the will of the people.

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT "Having observed millions of our people casting their votes patiently, enthusiastically and peacefully three days ago, we now have a greater appreciation of what President Nelson Mandela meant during his inauguration on 10 May 1994 when he said: 'Let freedom reign. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.' This election confirms that freedom does indeed reign in South Africa."

Ramaphosa also thanked political parties for their conduct during the election.

YOLISA NJAMELA IEC RESULTS CENTER, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA "Elections have come and gone. It's now up to the elected leaders to ensure that they deliver on what they promised when they were campaigning. South Africans have given them a clear mandate - to provide better and quality services to all in this country. Yolisa Njamela, CGTN in Pretoria."