The Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has ordered recounts in five wards following 197 objections to the 2026 local government election results. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya announced at a media briefing on Saturday, November 7, that 54 objections were dismissed, eight withdrawn, and two upheld. These upheld objections led to recounts in five wards. The final declaration of election results is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 6 pm.
The two upheld objections resulted in recounts being ordered in Wards 57 and 102 in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng; Ward 19 in Mangaung Metro, Free State; Ward 4 in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Mpumalanga; and Ward 12 in Breede Valley Local Municipality, Western Cape. The recounts are part of the IEC's process to resolve objections before declaring the final election results.
The 197 objections are separate from over 800 complaints received from political contestants earlier in the week, mostly concerning allegations that party agents were prevented from observing voting and counting. The IEC stressed that complaints lodged through its Political Liaison Committees do not automatically constitute formal objections under Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act.
Under Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act, objections must relate to matters that could materially affect an election outcome, such as irregularities involving voting, counting, intimidation, or unlawful interference. Where an objection is upheld, the IEC may take corrective measures, including excluding voting-station votes, deducting votes, amending results, or referring serious irregularities to the Electoral Court.
According to the IEC's Saturday update, results processing had been completed in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. However, results were still being finalised in Emfuleni, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Rustenburg, Msunduzi, and eThekwini, with the commission expecting the outstanding results to be completed on Saturday evening.
The Western Cape election results process had previously included a progress update indicating that 65% of provincial results had been captured. The IEC also warned against the circulation of false or unverified election results while counting and verification continued.
The official announcement of the 2026 local government election results is scheduled for 6 pm on Sunday, November 8. Until the final declaration, election results remain subject to the IEC's objection and correction processes.
Key points
- The IEC received 197 objections to the 2026 local government election results, leading to recounts in five wards.
- The final declaration of election results is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 6 pm.
- Over 800 complaints were received from political contestants, mostly concerning allegations that party agents were prevented from observing voting and counting.
