South African local election results expected Sunday
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL and SAnews
South Africa's electoral commission postpones the announcement of the final results of the 2026 local elections until Sunday, as 99% of the national vote had been counted by Saturday. It is examining 197 objections filed by political parties, two of which were upheld and led to recounts, according to IOL.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is examining objections that could affect the final result of the 2026 local elections, ahead of the announcement of the final results, its chairman Mosotho Moepya said at a press briefing in Midrand. By 3pm on Saturday, 197 objections had been received, of which 54 had been rejected, eight withdrawn and two upheld.
Under the Municipal Electoral Act, an upheld objection may notably lead to the total or partial cancellation of votes at a polling station, the deduction of votes awarded to a party or candidate, or a change to the result. If an irregularity warrants the cancellation of an election, the IEC may also refer the matter to the Electoral Court.
The processing of results has been completed in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. Results still need to be finalised in Emfuleni, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni in Gauteng, Rustenburg in North West, as well as KwaZulu-Natal.
Update of 8 November 2026: South Africa's electoral commission announced the official results of the 4 November local elections after the count reached 99%. Read: Official South African local election results announced.
