The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has declared the 2026 local government elections free and fair. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya stated that the commission was satisfied with the election process. According to Moepya, the elections were largely conducted in a peaceful environment based on the findings of the Elections Satisfaction Survey 2026. The survey assessed voters' views on the election process, including its integrity and operational efficiency.
The top five political parties in the elections were the ANC, DA, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, EFF, and ActionSA. The ANC recorded a national vote of 30.89%, securing 3,164 council seats. The DA secured 1,527 seats with 24.60% of the vote, while the uMkhonto weSizwe Party secured 701 seats with 9.61%. The EFF and ActionSA secured 505 and 219 seats, respectively. Other parties and independent candidates collectively received 22.97% of the vote, securing representation across municipal councils.
Economists have welcomed the election results, saying they send a positive image to local and international investors. Professor Raymond Parsons of the North West University Business School stated that the elections were "good for the economy". He emphasized that a predictable political process at various levels of government was crucial for business confidence. Parsons noted that municipalities had become "engine rooms of the economy that drive outcomes at the local coalface".
Parsons also highlighted the need for political stability in the coalition negotiations. He warned that the horse-trading among parties over the next two weeks should ensure stability, if local economic development is to be maximized. According to Parsons, South Africa's economic growth depended on functional local governments and their ability to maintain a positive environment for business activity.
University of Johannesburg's Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Patrick Bond, commented on the potential coalition partnerships between the DA and the ANC. He noted that both parties enjoyed recognition from international institutions, including the IMF and the World Bank. Bond also pointed out that both parties complied with IMF fiscal consolidation commands, including a $4.3 billion Covid-19 loan granted in 2020.
Local government expert Dr. Thina Nzo discussed the coalition partnerships, suggesting that parties should consult with their constituencies on which parties to form a coalition with. However, given the short deadlines, she proposed that parties should be transparent about their negotiation process. Nzo recommended that parties should inform voters about their potential coalition partners and outline key principles of negotiation.
The coalition framework, introduced by the Municipal Systems Amendment Bill, aims to provide a structure for coalition partnerships. However, the bill has not yet been passed in Parliament. Nzo emphasized the importance of parties outlining criteria for voting for speakers and mayors, based on their competence to execute their legislative functions and duties.
Key points
- The IEC declared the 2026 local government elections free and fair, with a peaceful environment and high voter satisfaction.
- The elections saw a significant shift towards multiparty coalitions at the municipal level, with the ANC, DA, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, EFF, and ActionSA securing the most council seats.
- Economists and experts emphasize the need for political stability and cooperation in the coalition negotiations to ensure local economic development and improve the investment climate.
