Vote counting is under way across South following the country’s 2026 local government elections, with the Electoral Commission (IEC) aiming to announce final results by the weekend.
Following the closure of voting stations at 9pm local time (1900 GMT), electoral officials began counting ballots in the presence of party agents, independent candidates’ representatives and accredited observers.
The results will then be scanned, captured and verified by the IEC, before undergoing independent external auditing.
Political parties, candidates, observers and the media are monitoring the process through results operation centres established across the country.
“Once counting and capturing and verification have been completed and all outstanding exceptions resolved, the Commission will declare the results and announce the allocation of seats in the municipal councils within the prescribed seven-day period,” IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo told journalists on Wednesday night.
He said about 14.5 million voters cast ballots, including nearly 13 million on election day and 1.5 million special votes.
The official revealed that the commission was working to conclude the process before the weekend to allow political parties time for coalition negotiations where no outright majorities emerge.
The polls are being closely watched for indications of shifting voter preferences after coalition governments became an increasingly prominent feature of South African local politics following recent elections.
The elections will determine representation in South Africa’s 257 municipal councils, with the outcome expected to shape local governance, service delivery and coalition politics across the country.
JN/APA