South Africa could be on the verge of its biggest political upheaval since the end of apartheid more than 30 years ago, if early voting is anything to go by.

The African National Congress swept to power in 1994 on the back of Nelson Mandela and has had a stranglehold on power ever since. But, if results hold, the ANC would need to form a coalition with one or more other parties, creating a potentially chaotic situation that could lead to political instability.

South Africa’s independent electoral commission is expected to deliver the final election results on Sunday, though there’s a chance it could come a day or two earlier.

By Wednesday night, more than 23,000 polling stations in the nine provinces of South Africa had sent in 20% of votes for counting. Of those, the ANC has received only 43% of the vote, according to the Associated Press. 

The Democratic Alliance came in around 25%, while the Economic Freedom Fighters party received about 8% of the vote. The partial results also reflected the possible immediate impact of the new MK Party, led by onetime ANC head and former President Jacob Zuma. The MK Party had the fourth-biggest share of the early count in its first election.

Analysts said the early results presented a shocking and shifting landscape.

“I think we are seeing a massive change in South African politics,” political analyst Susan Booysen said on SABC TV. 

Governance could become ineffective due to infighting, Simon Harvey, head of foreign exchange analysis at Monex Europe, told Reuters.

This year’s election is seen as a direct referendum on the power of the ANC, which has seen its popularity wane over the past several years. 

South African President and ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that his party would still secure a “firm majority” despite the disappointing early return numbers.

ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane said Thursday her party “remains optimistic.”  

South Africans vote for specific parties, not candidates for president, in their national elections.

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The parties elected get seats in the country’s Parliament according to their share of the vote cast. Then, the lawmakers elect the president.

The ANC has always had a clear parliamentary majority since 1994, and so the president has always been from the ANC. But voters have blamed the party for crime and corruption in the country.