The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Thursday, 5 November 2026 called for patience and restraint as vote counting and results verification continued following Wednesday's local government elections, which unfolded largely without incident despite some localised disruptions. Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC, briefed the media Thursday morning on the progress of counting and results-processing operations.

Counting Underway Through the Night

Mamabolo confirmed that ballots were being counted at voting stations across the country, with results being simultaneously captured, transmitted, and verified to ensure accuracy and integrity. 'The counting, tallying and verification process continued throughout the night in the presence of political party agents, independent candidate agents and accredited observers, reinforcing the transparency, integrity and accountability of the electoral process,' he said.

The IEC also warned stakeholders against circulating unverified information or disinformation about the results, stating that such actions 'could create unnecessary tensions, incite violence and potentially lead to property damage and injuries.'

Early Results: ANC Ahead, DA Close Behind

Preliminary figures released on Thursday showed the ruling African National Congress (ANC) narrowly ahead of its chief rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), in the national proportional representation vote. With approximately 33 per cent of votes counted, the ANC had secured around 32 per cent of the national vote against the DA's approximately 28 per cent, according to provisional data. These figures remain subject to significant change as more voting districts complete their counting and verification processes.

Regional Picture: MK Party Leads in KwaZulu-Natal

Early returns pointed to notable regional variation. The ANC maintained leads in several provinces, while the DA was ahead in Gauteng and the Western Cape. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party was leading in KwaZulu-Natal. Notably, since these are local government elections, the composition of individual municipal councils — not national vote share alone — will determine which parties actually govern at the local level. Where no party secures an outright majority, coalition negotiations are expected to be decisive.

What Is at Stake for the ANC

The 2026 local government elections represent a significant political test for the ANC, which has experienced a steady decline in electoral support over recent cycles. In the 2021 municipal elections, the party received 45.59 per cent of the national vote — falling below the 50 per cent threshold for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. The ANC subsequently lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national and provincial elections, securing approximately 40 per cent of the vote, which prompted the formation of a government of national unity.

What Happens Next

The IEC is expected to complete counting, verification, and auditing processes before formally announcing final results and the allocation of seats in municipal councils. All parties and candidates have been asked to allow the process to unfold without interference. How coalition dynamics play out in key municipalities — particularly those where no party wins outright — will shape South Africa's local governance landscape for the next term.