Counting is under way in South Africa after citizens cast their votes in the local government elections.

The vote is being seen as a test to the popularity of the ruling ANC party.

The party had around 46% of votes cast on Tuesday morning, with about 22% of votes counted nationally, according to state broadcaster SABC reported.

The party got about 54% of the vote at the last municipal polls in 2016.

The voter turnout of Monday elections is not yet clear but it came amid apathy, with a third of eligible voters not having registered, according to the electoral body.

Final official results are expected later in the week.