DEPUTY president Kgalema Motlanthe has, surprisingly, withdrawn his nomination to serve on the ANC's national executive committee (NEC)

The move is the strongest ever that shows Motlanthe intends to leave government.

Late yesterday, the electoral commission told delegates that Motlanthe had declined nomination.

Since Motlanthe was no longer part of the ANC top six officials, it would have been crucial that he remained in the NEC, which is the party's highest decision-making body, as he occupied the second most important position in government. Ahead of the conference, those close to him had stated that he would consider resigning his position in government should he lose to President Jacob Zuma.

Before the electoral commission could announce the names of those nominated to serve in the NEC yesterday, Motlanthe was given an opportunity to address delegates. He spoke about the ANC being the epitome of democracy, and said those elected were supported by the entire party membership.

He said delegates should be mindful of that when they elected NEC members.

An emotional Motlanthe then embraced Zuma.

However, outside the conference venue pro-Zuma delegates mocked those who lost the contest, saying they should not be nominated for any of the ruling party's leadership structures. They accused them of trying to divide the ANC.

Ironically, less than an hour after being re-elected, Zuma had appealed for unity.

"The contestation for leadership positions is part of the democratic culture in the ANC. Once the ANC has spoken, we have to look at how we treat one another ..." he told delegates.

Late yesterday, delegates nominated candidates for the ruling party's NEC and were to vote during the night. The results of the elections were expected to be announced this morning.

Those that had signed acceptance forms to be elected included former director-general in Thabo Mbeki's office Frank Chikane, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Malusi Gigaba.

Several Cosatu and SACP leaders also signed acceptance forms to be included in the ANC's top structure.

Among them were Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini, SACP leaders Zokwana Senzeni, Thulas Nxesi, Blade Nzimande and Buti Manamela.

Zuma's resounding victory yesterday could however lead to a cabinet reshuffle in the new year, with Ramaphosa replacing Motlanthe as deputy president of the country.

Meanwhile, Schalk Mouton reports that six ANC members in the Free State have vowed to go back to court to declare the elective conference invalid.

Mpho Ramakatsa, one of the six who took the provincial executive committee as well as the national formation of the ANC to court to declare the provincial elective conference invalid, said yesterday that they would study the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) judgment and consult their lawyers on how to proceed.

The ConCourt yesterday gave reasons for its November 21 judgment on why it granted the six leave to appeal judgment that dismissed their application on technical grounds.

The ConCourt said irregularities in the PEC voting process violated the six's rights to participate in the ANC activities and breached the ruling party's constitution and membership audit guidelines.