The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) reported that approximately 12 million people had cast their ballots by 5pm on Wednesday, in the ongoing 2026 local government elections. Gauteng recorded the highest number of votes, at three million, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 2.5 million, the Western Cape with 1.5 million, and the Eastern Cape with 1.4 million.
According to IEC Chief Executive Officer Sy Mamabolo, the commission was encouraged by the turnout across the country. Limpopo recorded 1.1 million votes, followed by Mpumalanga with 854 000, North West with 702 000, the Free State with 588 000, and the Northern Cape with 299 000.
Mamabolo stated that the commission is pleased with the encouraging turnout at many voting stations, but urged the remaining voters to cast their ballots before the 9pm deadline. He added that voting has progressed well across the country, notwithstanding some isolated incidents, and that less than 1% of municipalities opened late.
The IEC has made arrangements for generators and alternative lighting at voting stations to ensure that counting can continue into the evening without interruption. Ballot counting will begin once voting stations close at 9pm, with all ballot papers counted at the voting stations where they are cast, in the presence of party agents, independent candidate agents, and accredited observers.
The counting process involves opening sealed ballot boxes and checking ballot papers for official IEC stamps before sorting them into ward, proportional representation, and district ballots. Mamabolo reiterated that voting stations will close at 9pm, but assured voters that anyone who arrives at a voting station before 9pm will be allowed to vote, even if the process extends beyond the official closing time.
The commission has assured voters that they will not be turned away if they are within the voting station by the time of closing. The IEC is expected to release the final vote count by the weekend, according to Mamabolo. The local government elections are a crucial process in South Africa's democracy, allowing citizens to elect representatives for their municipalities.
As the counting process continues, the IEC is working to ensure the integrity and transparency of the election results. With the majority of votes cast, the focus now shifts to the counting and verification process, which will ultimately determine the outcome of the 2026 local government elections.
Key points
- 12 million South Africans have voted in the 2026 local government elections as of 5pm on Wednesday.
- The Electoral Commission of South Africa expects the final vote count to be released by the weekend.
- Voting stations will close at 9pm, but voters who arrive before the deadline will be allowed to cast their ballots.
