Municipal Elections End With Coalition Era
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) deemed the 2026 local government elections as fair and free, despite IEC chair Mosotho Moepya confirmed the withholding of results of a Northern Cape voting station, during the official announcement of results ceremony at the National Results Operation Centre in Midrand on Sunday evening.
According to Moepya, the IEC is refraining from disclosing results of a voting station in Siyancuma Municipality, citing political activists reportedly ambushing the venue, and shredded ballot papers prior they could be counted. “In this respect, the commission will withhold the results because it will do a revote in that municipality, and the commission will do so with speed,” he said.
“Section 10 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act provides that if ballot papers in an election at a voting station are lost, destroyed, or unlawfully removed, as these were, before votes cast at the station are counted, the commission may allow a revote at the time at that station. On a date to be determined by the commission,” said Moepya, indicating that the decision is rightful in the electoral body’s legalities framework.
He added that the organisation had been provided with objections during the election process, and stayed alert to rule on more objections after the declaration, as given for in Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act.
Moreover, although still in the forefront, the ANC’s apportion of national vote descended from 45.59% in 2021 to 30.76%. The DA received 26.64%, while MK party came third with 9.76%. The EFF earned 6.22%.
Action SA occupied the fifth position with 5.67%.
Moepya specified that the ANC emerged total victorious in 53 municipalities and won the most seats in 128 municipality. While the DA won outright control of 12 municipalities, and won the most seats in 29 municipalities.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) achieved outright control in five municipalities, while the MK party won outright control of three.
The new gang in the block Rise Tsantsabane Communities, a local party from Northern Cape rose beyond their horizons, winning outright control of their municipality.
Out of 213 municipalities, 72 councils have a party that secured an outright majority of seats. The remaining 127 municipalities are hung councils due to, no political organisation securing more than 50% of the seats, forcing coalitions to govern them.
Out of a voter registration of approximately 29 million, the IEC recorded 14.9 million people voted. Signifying a national turnout of 52%.
520 political parties and 636 independent candidates contested for 10 526 council seats.
In addition, Moepya indicated that the elections did face any setbacks, and the commission had a responsibility to accept its lacks and amend its process. “No institution can take itself seriously if it does not acknowledge its shortcomings,” he added.
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