The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially concluded the 2026 Local Government Elections, describing the process as a major logistical achievement despite a last-minute Constitutional Court order that forced the reprinting of millions of ballot papers. In his address following the conclusion of the elections on Sunday, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo framed voting not merely as an electoral choice, but as an expression of constitutional dignity. Quoting former Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs, Mamabolo said: “The vote…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has won Ward 15 in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM) after a recount overturned an initial decision by an IEC presiding officer to declare the party’s votes spoilt. The party had initially lost the ward after its votes were allegedly declared spoilt at the counting station. The EFF immediately lodged an objection with the national IEC, demanding a recount and a review of the ballot papers. Following the recount, the EFF was declared the winner…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has received 197 formal objections following Wednesday’s Local Government Elections, with recounts ordered in five wards as the country awaits the final results. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya says the Commission will not compromise its verification and quality assurance processes in an effort to speed up the announcement of the results. Speaking during a media briefing at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand on Saturday, Moepya urged political parties, independent candidates and…