Pretoria, South Africa - The ruling African National Congress party (ANC) has won South Africa's fifth democratic election by a significant albeit reduced majority, debunking speculation that the party would be punished over high unemployment and political controversy.

Early on Saturday, and with 100 percent of the provisional count tallied, the ANC had managed to 62.2 percent of the vote, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The official opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA), was in second place with 22.2 percent of the votes.

In the previous election, in 2009, the ANC received 65.9 percent of votes cast and the DA had 16.6 percent.

The IEC is expected to confirm the results later on Saturday.

Record numbers

More than 25 million South Africans registered for this year's poll and voter turnout was 73.43 percent. It was the first election since the death of Nelson Mandela and marked 20 years since the end of apartheid.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu told Al Jazeera that the party's "well-oiled election campaign" proved to be effective in delivering votes.

"We are still the party that restored the dignity of our people in this country. People will never forget that. We are very humbled by the confidence the people have shown to the African National Congress," he said.

Earlier, the African Union observer mission declared the election to be "free, fair, transparent and credible".

The IEC, however, is dealing with four complaints lodged by opposition parties to the results. Those complaints have been lodged by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the United Democratic Movement and the Democratic Alliance.

EFF members protested outside the premises of the national broadcaster, alleging that the slow process of counting was a result of the ruling party rigging the vote.

Late on Friday night, clashes between police and residents took place in the Alexandra township outside Johannesburg, after opposition party members accused the IEC and the ANC of rigging ballot papers.

The army was called to bring calm as residents burnt tyres and pelted police with stones.

Early on Saturday, the police told local media the situation was now calm and under control. But several reports said at least 59 people were arrested following the unrest.