ANC takes Bloem, but loses support

2011-05-20 22:17

Pretoria - The African National Congress won control of the Mangaung Metro (Bloemfontein) receiving more than 266 000 votes, the Independent Electoral Commission confirmed on Friday evening.

According to the final results released, the ANC received 266 723 votes and as a result secured a total of 65 seats out of a total of 97 seats.

The party received 67.01% of the 396 540 votes cast while the Democratic Alliance was the second largest party with 27.52% of the vote that secured them 26 seats.

The Congress of the People was the third largest party receiving 12 723 votes and securing three seats. The ANC and the DA were the only parties that won ward seats.

The remaining parties secured the balance of seats through the proportional representation vote.

In 2006 there were only 89 seats up for grabs. The ANC also secured 65 seats then, but with 73% of the vote. In this election the party's share of the vote in Mangaung had fallen to 67%.

The DA increased its haul of seats from 15 in 2006 to 26 in 2011 and its share of the vote rose from 16.85% in 2006 to 26.8% this year.

- SAPA