Votes are being counted after what is seen as South Africa's most closely fought elections since the African National Congress (ANC) came to power 30 years ago.

Many people were still waiting to vote when polls officially closed at 9pm local time but the electoral commission said they would all be allowed to cast their ballots.

The first results will start to trickle in this morning and final results are expected over the weekend.

A record 70 parties and 11 independents were running, with South Africans voting for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has signed a pact with 10 other parties, agreeing to form a coalition government if they get enough votes to dislodge the ANC from power.