'One dominant party is no good for democracy'
25 April 2009, 14:05
The African National Congress came within a whisker of receiving a two-thirds majority in the national election, according to the IEC results system.
The party received 65,90 percent of the 17,680,729 valid votes cast.
The Democratic Alliance, the official opposition party, received 16.66 percent of the votes, with 2,945,829 South Africans backing the party.
The Congress of the People received 7.42 percent.
The final voter turnout was recorded as 17,919,966, or 77.3 percent of registered voters.
Reacting to the final results, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said his party was concerned about the "looming spectre of a near two-thirds majority".
He said the major win brought with it an arrogance of power. "One-party dominance is not healthy for democracy in the long run.
"It is incumbent upon us in the opposition and civil society at large to seriously explore the ways in which we can bring about such a balanced party political system to South Africa," said Holomisa.
The UDM received 149,680 votes, 0.85 percent of the total. - Sapa
The party received 65,90 percent of the 17,680,729 valid votes cast.
The Democratic Alliance, the official opposition party, received 16.66 percent of the votes, with 2,945,829 South Africans backing the party.
The Congress of the People received 7.42 percent.
The final voter turnout was recorded as 17,919,966, or 77.3 percent of registered voters.
Reacting to the final results, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said his party was concerned about the "looming spectre of a near two-thirds majority".
He said the major win brought with it an arrogance of power. "One-party dominance is not healthy for democracy in the long run.
"It is incumbent upon us in the opposition and civil society at large to seriously explore the ways in which we can bring about such a balanced party political system to South Africa," said Holomisa.
The UDM received 149,680 votes, 0.85 percent of the total. - Sapa
Durban
