The African National Congress (ANC) maintained its lead in the top spot as results for the 2011 municipal election continued to trickle in on Friday.

After 97,1% of the voting districts had been counted the party's support stood at 61,9%, giving it 5 214 council seats nationally.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) took 1 396 seats nationally thus far, receiving 24,1% support.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission some votes were being recounted. Further information was not immediately available.

The number of votes won by the ANC was just over 21-million (63,59% of all ballots cast) – 7,8-million council ward votes, eight-million proportional representation votes and 5,3-million district council votes. The DA got 7,4-million votes in total.

There were 23-million registered voters.

The Inkatha Freedom Party's support stood at 3,95% or 1,3-million votes, followed by a break-away party from its own ranks, the National Freedom Party, which garnered 842 168 votes (2,55%).

The Congress of the People obtained 788 314 votes (2,38%).

By 1pm on Friday, the results centre in Pretoria was abuzz with activity.

ANC youth league leader Julius Malema visited causing a flurry among journalists vying for a few words from him.

ANC national executive committee members Tony Yengeni and Jessie Duarte were also present, as was party head of campaigns and Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula.

Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel was also at the centre.

Most party leaders sat in IEC allocated spaces and monitored the results as they came in.

DA leader Helen Zille was present at the centre for most of the morning, also staring at the results computer screen, doing interviews and chatting to other politicians.

President Jacob Zuma was expected to visit the centre later.