South Africa vote count under way

South Africa vote count under way

Voting was extended in some areas to cater for lengthy queues
Votes are being counted in South Africa after a high general election turnout led to long queues at polling stations and a shortage of ballot papers.

Voting was extended in some areas amid fears ballot papers were running out, and some ballot boxes were full.

The election passed off peacefully, with no reports of political violence or intimidation.

Monday's poll was the country's fourth general election since the end of apartheid 15 years ago.

The election is expected to be the most competitive since the end of apartheid in 1994. The ruling ANC - led by Jacob Zuma - is expected to win.

But it could lose the two-thirds majority in parliament which allows it to change the constitution.

Among the ANC's rivals is a new party - Congress of the People (Cope) - formed last year by a group which split from the ANC after ex-President Thabo Mbeki was replaced as leader.

Charges of corruption against Mr Zuma were dropped just two weeks before the poll, after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case.