Ballot counting begins in leadership contest for South Africa's governing ANC political party

The Associated Press

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Officials have begun counting ballots in the leadership vote for South Africa's governing African National Congress political party.

Voting ended around 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) Tuesday at the ANC's Mangaung conference, being held in the city also known as Bloemfontein.

Current President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe are competing for the party's top spot. The 70-year-old Zuma is considered the favourite to win over his deputy, despite being trailed by corruption allegations.

Some 4,000 delegates voted in the ANC's leadership contest. Whoever the party picks will likely be the next president of this nation of 50 million people, as opposition parties lack the support the ANC enjoys in South Africa.