ANC President Jacob Zuma has called on all South Africans to put the bitterness of the past behind them and unite to build a better South Africa.

Addressing the media, Zuma thanked those who voted for the ANC reassured those that did not.

Zuma said the time had come to create a better country.

"We must enter a period where we bury mistrust, uncertainty, pain and tension and begin a new chapter of harmony and collaboration. We cannot afford to dwell on the negatives," he said.

ELECTIONS CALLED TO A CLOSE

IEC Chairperson Brigalia Bam declared the elections free and fair on Saturday.

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

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.

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.