ANC Challenges Gauteng Election Results, Calls for Investigation

The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng has lodged formal objections with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) challenging discrepancies in the 2026 local government election results. The party submitted approximately 35 Section 65 objections to the IEC before the prescribed deadline. This move is part of the ANC's effort to ensure that all irregularities are thoroughly investigated and that the final results accurately reflect the will of the people as expressed through the ballot.

The IEC has announced that, as of the afternoon of November 7, it had received 197 objections, with 54 dismissed, eight withdrawn, and two upheld. The ANC said recounts had already confirmed its victories in seven wards across Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, and Tshwane, with further outcomes awaiting official IEC confirmation. The party's Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane, emphasized the importance of investigating all irregularities.

The ANC called on the IEC to give all objections the necessary attention, saying successful challenges must result in appropriate corrective action. The party remains confident in the merits of its submissions and insists that the final results must accurately reflect the will of the people. This development comes as the IEC continues to finalize the election results, with vote counting completed in six provinces.

The IEC's efforts to complete the vote counting process are underway, with 90% of districts counted as of November 6. The ANC leads the national vote count as 82% of districts complete counting, but hung councils loom large. The final results in the Western Cape are expected soon, with Cape Town's count nearing completion.

Other parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), are also engaging in coalition bargaining. The DA said it will engage 'like-minded parties' to discuss forming coalition agreements. The MK party has also pursued coalition bargaining despite lodging a formal IEC objection. Coalition discussions have begun among political parties, with some parties already reflecting on their successes.

Election observers have commended the local government polls, describing them as a success. However, some parties have raised concerns about the electoral process. The ANC's NM Nkosikhona Malinga-Mnisi stated that the party will continue to push for a thorough investigation into the alleged discrepancies.

The IEC's announcement of the final results is expected soon. The commission has confirmed that all local government election results in the Western Cape have been captured. The outcome of the objections and the final results will be crucial in determining the composition of the new municipal councils.

Key points

• ANC lodges 35 formal objections with IEC over alleged discrepancies in Gauteng election results.
• IEC receives 197 objections, with 54 dismissed, eight withdrawn, and two upheld.
• ANC confident in merits of submissions, insists on thorough investigation into irregularities.