SNAPSHOT: 7 key takeaways from the 2026 Local Government Elections

1. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has declared the 2026 Local Government Elections to be both free and fair, noting the process as largely peaceful. Voter turnout surged to 52%, an increase from 45.9% in the previous election held in 2021.

2. Approximately 14.9 million South Africans exercised their right to vote, out of a total of 29.2 million registered voters.

3. The African National Congress (ANC) topped the polls with 30.89% of the vote and secured 3,164 council seats. The Democratic Alliance (DA) came in second with 24.60% of the vote and 1,527 seats. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) followed with 9.61% and 6.25% of the vote respectively, securing 701 and 461 council seats.

4. Of the 213 municipalities, 72 had parties with outright majorities, while 127 had no single party with more than 50% of the seats. The ANC achieved outright control in 51 municipalities, the DA did so in 12, the IFP in five, and the MK Party in three.

5. Rise Tsantsabane Communities emerged as the only municipality where a single party secured outright control, winning all council seats.

6. Following a revote at Jabulani Community Hall in Ward 3 of Siyancuma Municipality, where ballot papers were destroyed before counting, the IEC ordered a re-election. The Commission has also registered a criminal case with the South African Police Service for this incident.

7. The IEC's Elections Satisfaction Survey revealed that 90% of respondents believed the procedures to be free, while 91% deemed them fair. An impressive 95% expressed satisfaction with the IEC's services, and 81% indicated a level of trust in the Commission. However, the survey also highlighted concerns regarding intimidation, impartiality, inclusive voting, and information gaps, which require attention.