The ruling African National Congress will be less complacent in its electioneering this year than in the past, President Kgalema Motlanthe said in an interview published on Friday.

"There will -- even in the ANC -- be far less complacency this year," Motlanthe told the weekly Mail and Guardian newspaper.

"Before, we were more confident of victory. Now we need to work harder than in the past when many in the ANC assumed victory was automatic, so dominant were we."

He said he expected a "significantly improved" voter turnout because he believed there was more interest and excitement ahead of the general elections this year.

This was "due to greater and more varied electoral contestation than there was in the past".

"But it's also helpful because it gives other smaller parties and voters a sense that they may have a greater chance this year than in previous elections, which is positive for our democracy.

"All in all I think this will be the most interesting and exciting election since 1994 because we will see less complacency, over-confidence and despondency," said Motlanthe.

On the creation of the ANC breakaway party, the Congress of the People (Cope), Motlanthe said he was "not particularly worried" about the potential threat it posed to the ruling party.

"I'm confident that we will triumph over them but we have never taken support for granted."

He hinted that he believed the decision to challenge Cope's name in court was unnecessary.

"My own view is that people adopt names because they are inspired by something. As far as I am concerned they can call themselves whatever they wish to.

"They can call themselves Bambatha, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo or whatever and it will not confuse anybody about the name of the ANC on election day."

Motlanthe said speculation that axed president Thabo Mbeki was supporting Cope sounded "like a bit of witch-hunting".

"Look at it this way: how much clearer can it be about where a leading member of an organisation stands in relation to any other party, including Cope, than the fact that he is still a member of the ANC, despite all the media speculation.

"In fact those who question his loyalty to the ANC must ask themselves what gives them the right to question the bona fides of Mbeki. Nobody has that right. It sounds more like a bit of witch-hunting."

Motlanthe reiterated that Zuma would remain the party's presidential candidate, regardless of whether the corruption trial against him continued.

"So as far as the ANC is concerned, if the Nicholson judgement is overturned, whatever happens thereafter must run its course, even if he is charged," said Motlanthe, referring the Judge Chris Nicholson's ruling that effectively halted Zuma's prosecution.

"He remains the ANC's contender for presidency of the country in this year's elections."

Motlanthe denied reports of an early election date to give Cope less time to prepare.

He said he still had to meet the Independent Electoral Commission to finalise the date.