{
  "id": 18288916,
  "title": "Too early to confirm exact voter turn-out figures: IEC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/too-early-to-confirm-exact-voter-turn-out-figures-iec",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T10:16:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/too-early-to-confirm-exact-voter-turn-out-figures-iec/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Electoral Commission (IEC) has stated that it is too early to confirm the precise voter turnout numbers following Wednesday's South African polls, but has provided an estimate that over 15 million South Africans took part in the elections. At a media briefing, IEC Deputy CEO Masego Shiburi explained that the definitive voter turnout figure can only be determined once all election processes have been completed. Shiburi noted that the preliminary turnout figures, along with the overall participation rate, will be calculated after the counting process is finished. He clarified that the total number of valid votes, spoiled votes, and discarded votes are known, and that the current estimate indicates a participation rate of 15.9 million South Africans in both the special votes and the general election.",
  "summary": "IEC says 15 million people cast their votes in the Local Government Elections.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}