The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has officially declared the 2026 Local Government Elections free and fair, with the African National Congress (ANC) securing the majority of votes at 30.76%.
Out of 29.2 million registered voters, approximately 14.9 million cast their ballots, resulting in a voter turnout of 52%.
The final 2026 election results: Top 5 parties
IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya announced the final results at the Results Operations Centre. Here is how the top five parties performed:
| Party | % of Vote | Council Seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1. African National Congress (ANC) | 30.76% | 3,246 |
| 2. Democratic Alliance (DA) | 24.64% | 1,695 |
| 3. uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) | 9.77% | 785 |
| 4. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) | 6.22% | 588 |
| 5. ActionSA | 5.67% | 313 |
ALSO READ: EFF rally: Five lessons in organisational power — The party’s electioneering efforts have paid off, solidifying their place in the top 5.
While the ANC remains the leading party, this result represents a significant drop from previous elections. You can read our analysis on the ANC losing its 30-year majority in the 2024 National Elections.
Moepya: “Every voting station passed a matrix of integrity checks”
Addressing the nation, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya assured South Africans of the credibility of the process.
“In these elections, every voting station & voting station results have passed through a matrix of integrity checks which the commission had pre-designed and implemented specifically for the time such as this,” Moepya said.
He also confirmed that the results system used during these elections was certified for functionality and compliance with applicable legislative provisions.
Ramaphosa: “Service delivery cannot be held hostage by political squabbles”
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took to the podium following the announcement, praised the conduct of the voters.
“South Africans were united by common conviction in that they have the right to decide who governs them in their communities,” he said.
He also issued a strong warning to the incoming councillors: “You’ve been entrusted with an immense responsibility. You will be the face of government in communities which have expectations. Public office carries a duty of service.”
“Political parties must face the task at hand with maturity and a genuine commitment to public good. Service delivery cannot be held hostage by political squabbles.
“Communities want water, electricity, functioning street lights—not the settling of petty political squabbles.”
Voting proceeded smoothly at 23,696 stations
Voting proceeded smoothly across the country at the vast majority of the 23,696 voting stations, with the IEC reporting no major disruptions to the broader process.
However, one isolated incident threatened to derail the process in the Northern Cape.
Douglas results nullified after ballots destroyed
The commission ordered the results in the Northern Cape town of Douglas to be revoked.
This follows an incident where supporters stormed the vote-counting station and destroyed ballot papers before counting could begin.
Moepya confirmed that a revote will be held in the affected area, with the exact date and logistical details to be announced in due course.
Track the final ward-by-ward breakdown: Voters and analysts can continue to track the final results via the official IEC Results Portal.
