South Africa: Electoral Commission Declares Local Govt Elections 2026 Free and Fair
[SAnews.gov.za] The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has declared the 2026 Local Government Elections as Free and Fair - with a national voter turnout of 52% and an increase in participation compared with the 2021 polls.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa has declared the 2026 local government elections free and fair. According to AllAfrica, the national voter turnout was 52%, representing an increase in participation compared to the 2021 polls. The Rio Times reports that the declaration was made on 8 November and noted that a fresh vote was ordered at one polling station in Douglas.
The African National Congress (ANC) won the most votes of all parties with 30.76% of the overall vote, though KahawaTungu reports this is the party's worst showing in local elections since the end of apartheid. This figure is a decrease from the 46% gained in 2021. The ANC won a majority in only one province, Limpopo, and secured the most votes in two cities.
Party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula described the outcome as "catastrophic," attributing the results to the high cost of living and a loss of support among the middle class.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) placed second in the overall vote with 24.64% and maintained majority control of Cape Town. KahawaTungu reports that the MK party took third place overall with 9.76%, unseating the ANC in Durban, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) finished fourth with 6.22%.
Brief written by urgent.news from AllAfrica, KahawaTungu, The Rio Times — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- South Africa Election Declared Free and Fair riotimesonline.com
