The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has initiated recounts in five wards as part of its ongoing process to address objections filed by political parties and candidates following the 2026 local government elections. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya reported that the commission had received a total of 197 objections by the 3pm deadline on Saturday. Of these, 54 objections were dismissed, while some were withdrawn.
According to Moepya, two objections were upheld, meaning they were found to have a material impact on the election outcome. In one instance, the commission ordered an audit, while recounts were mandated in five specific wards. The affected wards include Ward 257 in the City of Tshwane at the Village Montessori School voting district, Ward 102 in the City of Tshwane at PAC Projects, Ward 119 in Emalahleni at Elly Park Fire Station, Ward 4 in Thabazimbi Local Municipality at Shalom Church Centre, and Ward 12 in Breede Valley Local Municipality at Christian Life Ministries.
Recounts will be conducted in the presence of political party agents and carried out by IEC staff. Moepya emphasized that all results currently remain provisional until the commission completes its consideration of objections. He noted that the provisional results may change as a consequence of the commission's determinations. Furthermore, seats allocated in the provisional results could also change if objections are upheld by the commission.
The IEC has completed results processing in several provinces, including the Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. However, results processing is still underway in Gauteng, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal. Moepya indicated that the IEC expects to conclude the remaining processes by Saturday evening, with the final results of the 2026 local government elections slated to be announced on Sunday at 6pm.
With 99% of the votes counted, the African National Congress (ANC) currently leads nationally with 30.8% of the votes, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 24%. The ongoing objections and recounts are part of the IEC's efforts to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the election results. Moepya stressed that the commission is committed to finalizing the process in a transparent and fair manner.
The IEC's decision to order recounts in specific wards underscores the importance of addressing concerns raised by political parties and candidates. By doing so, the commission aims to maintain public trust in the electoral process. The recounts and consideration of objections are critical steps in ensuring that the final results accurately reflect the will of the voters.
As the IEC prepares to announce the final results on Sunday, political parties and the public are eagerly awaiting the outcome. The commission's commitment to transparency and fairness in the electoral process is crucial in maintaining the credibility of the elections. The final results will provide a clearer picture of the political landscape in South Africa following the 2026 local government elections.
Key points
- The IEC received 197 objections, of which 54 were dismissed and two were upheld.
- Recounts have been ordered in five wards across different municipalities.
- The final results of the 2026 local government elections are expected to be announced on Sunday at 6pm.
