IEC Declares 2026 Local Government Elections Free and Fair in South Africa

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has declared the 2026 Local Government Elections free and fair. This declaration was made at the National Results Operation Centre in Midrand, where the IEC officially announced the final results of last week's municipal elections. According to the IEC, all necessary procedures were followed, and the elections were conducted successfully. The commission expressed satisfaction with the work carried out by its electoral officials.

Despite the IEC's declaration, some political parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the process, lodging a total of 192 objections to the election results by the previous afternoon. Some parties have also indicated that they may approach the courts to challenge the results, citing concerns over the outcome. The IEC, however, maintains that the elections were conducted successfully, and the objections will not affect the overall outcome.

The IEC reported that 14.9 million people voted in the elections, representing a 52% voter turnout out of 29.2 million registered voters. A total of 10,526 seats were available across 213 councils, with 520 political parties and 636 independent candidates participating. The ANC secured the highest number of seats with 3,246, followed by the DA with 1,695 seats, and the MK Party with 785 seats.

Over the next two weeks, all municipal councils will need to elect their mayors and speakers of council. In municipalities where no outright majority was obtained, parties will have to begin coalition negotiations. Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni are among the 136 municipalities without an outright majority. The IEC Chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, has declared the elections free and fair, despite the objections and potential court challenges.

The IEC's declaration has been met with mixed reactions from political parties. The ANC has secured the highest number of seats, but its performance has been described as "catastrophic" in some areas. The MK Party has not ruled out taking its complaints to the Electoral Court, while ActionSA has also expressed concerns over the outcome. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has been humbled by the support it received in the elections.

Election observers have commended the local government polls, describing them as a success. The IEC has confirmed that all local government election results in the Western Cape have been captured. The commission has also completed vote counting in six provinces, with the final results now available. The IEC's declaration of the elections as free and fair has paved the way for the formation of new municipal councils.

The 2026 Local Government Elections have set the stage for coalition negotiations and the formation of new municipal councils. The IEC's declaration has provided clarity on the outcome of the elections, despite the objections and potential court challenges. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend the elections results announcement, amid concerns over the ANC's performance. The IEC's work has ensured that the electoral process has been conducted successfully.

Key points

• The IEC declared the 2026 Local Government Elections free and fair, despite 192 objections and potential court challenges.
• The ANC secured the highest number of seats with 3,246, followed by the DA with 1,695 seats.
• Coalition negotiations will begin in municipalities where no outright majority was obtained, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni.