The vote count climbed above six-million, according to results released by the Independent Electoral Commission in Pretoria shortly before 13:00 on Wednesday.

The African National Congress (ANC) had over 60% of these with 3 988 079, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 1 097 045 votes thus far.

The Congress of the People remained in the third spot with 499 651 votes.

A total of 6 232 428 votes had been counted by 13:00, which was 27% of the 23 181 997 voters registered nationally for Wednesday's polls.

The Inkatha Freedom Party was in fourth place with 175 763 votes, with the Independent Democrats (ID) following with 86 585 votes.

Creeping up on the ID was the United Democratic movement with 75 402 votes.

The Freedom Front Plus had 59 843 and the African Christian Democratic Party 47 381 votes.

Trailing the list was the A Party with 1006 votes nationally, preceded by Women Forward with 1441 votes.

Both parties are new on South Africa's political landscape, contesting elections for the first time in 2009.

Meanwhile, IEC chairwoman Brigalia Bam told a large media contingent in Pretoria that voter turnout was sitting at 77%, with vote counts from 12 402 districts still outstanding.