S. Africa's local gov't elections hotly contested: president

The 2016 local government elections "were hotly contested with competing parties passionately arguing their points of view to win over the electorate", South African President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.

"That is how it should be in a democracy," Zuma said at the center of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Pretoria as the IEC announced the election results.

"I wish to extend a word of gratitude to the millions of South Africans who went out to vote; some in difficult weather conditions," Zuma said.

He praised commissioners and IEC staff for working long hours and delivering "an efficient and fair elections yet again".

With most of the votes counted, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is leading in the polls, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

As Zuma was speaking, however, several protesters were holding up placards in front of him, reportedly in protest against rapes in the country.

Members of the EFF walked out of the center in protest when Zuma took the podium.

Before Zuma spoke, IEC chief electoral officer Mosotho Moepya said South Africa had conducted the largest and most competitive elections the country has yet seen, and the election "is the toughest we have faced since the dawn of democracy 22 years ago".

The IEC wanted to exceed voter turnout levels which were at 57.6 percent in 2011, he said.

"I'm pleased to say we have attained at least 58 percent," Moepya said, adding that they recorded 23.6 million on the certified voters roll, and 740,000 special voters.

In a sample of 300 wards during this election, Moepya said 96 percent of voters believed the voting process to be free and fair.

"Results from a few wards are still being recorded, and will be released at a later date," he added. Enditem