THE African National Congress (ANC) has retained the largest share of the vote in a key by-election in the Metsimaholo municipality in the Free State.

The vote was notable for being the first time in which the ANC and its South African Communist Party (SACP) alliance partner had gone head-to-head, with the communists winning 6.9 per cent.

With full results announced yesterday, the ANC came in first place with 29.1 per cent.