The leader of the ANC’s OR Tambo region, Thandekile Sabisa, was re-elected on Sunday in a closely fought contest, a spokesman for the region confirmed.

“Sabisa obtained 294 votes as chairperson, while William Mkhize, who was contesting him, received 284 votes,” said spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane.

“The contest was very tight.”

Qoboshiyane said counting had not yet finished for other positions on the executive.

Another spokesman said earlier results would be announced once counting had been concluded later on Sunday.

Earlier, voting had begun after 5am on Sunday for the top five positions within the regional executive committee, said ANC Eastern Cape chairman Pumulo Masualle in a statement.

“[This follows] the successful resumption of the conference yesterday evening,” he said.

“Upon resumption the conference discussed the report tabled by the Conference Steering Committee about the discrepancies picked up from the credentials of the adjourned conference.”

Delegate numbers were affirmed at the conference, with 582 out of 588 delegates attending.

Earlier this month, the original regional conference was adjourned before new leaders could be elected. Its shutdown came after allegations that membership figures were inflated, and that there were several “ghost” delegates.

The outcome of the region’s election would be integral to President Jacob Zuma’s bid to retain the leadership of the party at its national congress in Mangaung in December.

The region is the largest in the Eastern Cape, and the second largest ANC region in the country, after eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal — Zuma’s home.