Elections 2009 have been declared over.

IEC Chairperson Brigalia Bam declared the elections free and fair.

"The Election Commission of South Africa is proud to declare the 2009 national and provincial elections free and fair," she said.

FINAL RESULTS CALCULATED

All the results were in with the official confirmation that the ANC won overwhelmingly with 66.59% of the vote.

The DA retained its status as the official opposition with 16.66% and the newly formed COPE came in third with 7.42%

The ANC said it was happy with its performance despite missing a two-thirds majority.

Bam commended all political parties who took part in the elections.

She urged political parties to continue working together to consolidate progress made during the 15 years of democracy.

She congratulated the ANC and all opposition parties.

"The future ruling party and its leaders and those who will be occupying the opposition benches, we the people owe the democracy a big thank you. We owe the candidates, the voters a big thank you."

She praised South Africans for turning out in their numbers to vote this week and thanked them for their patience and good order.

She said she was proud of the country and its youth.

She urged young South Africans to turn their voting power into real influence over policy.

CELEBRATIONS AT ELECTION CENTRE

There was a lot of hugging and cheering on the main floor of the Election Centre in Pretoria.

Jacob Zuma was embraced by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.

As the cheering continued, COPE President Mosiuoa Lekota was one of the first to embrace Zuma.

MOTLANTHE PROUD OF ELECTION PROCESS

Kgalema Motlanthe said the will of the people was expressed through the outcome of the elections.

He said the elections had taught political parties an important lesson.

"These public representatives and these political parties must continue to maintain dynamic contact with constituencies and communities on an ongoing basis," he said.

Motlanthe commended all those involved in the polls and praised smaller parties - such as the KISS party - for making the polls interesting.

ZUMA ADDRESSES THE NATION

ANC leader Jacob Zuma addressed the IEC’s briefing. He promised the party would deliver on its campaign promises.

Zuma, who will take over from Kgalema Motlanthe as state president, also said the ruling party would serve all South Africans, even those who did not vote for the ANC.

To see the complete list of election results click here