IEC probes objections to election results

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is investigating objections lodged by political parties to the 2026 Local Government Elections results, as it prepares to announce the final results.

“Following a successful results processing phase, the Commission is now engaged in determining objections that are material to the result of the election,” IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said.

By 3pm on Saturday, the Commission had received 197 objections. Of these, 54 had been dismissed, eight withdrawn and two upheld.

“Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act (MEA) allows interested parties to lodge objections material to the final results of election with the Commission. 

“Such an objection must relate to any aspect concerning voting, counting of votes, alleged unlawful interference with or obstruction of election activities or processes in the vicinity of, at or in a voting station, interference with or influencing, intimidation or obstruction of voters in the vicinity of, at or in a voting station,” the Chairperson said.

Moepya made these remarks at a media briefing at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand, where he provided an update on objections and the finalisation of election results.

South Africans went to the polls on Wednesday to elect representatives to municipal councils.

Parties and independent candidates had until 5pm on Friday, 6 November 2026, to lodge objections.

Under sections 65(4) and 65(5) of the Municipal Electoral Act, the Commission must investigate each objection it receives and either uphold or reject it.

It must then notify the objector and any interested party of its decision.

“The Commission wishes to clarify that where it concludes that the objection merits upholding, the Commission may do this before or after the election results are declared.”

If the Commission upholds an objection before the election results are declared, it may:

• Decide that the votes cast at a particular voting station do not count in whole or in part.
• Decide that the votes cast at a particular voting station in favour of a party or candidate must be deducted in whole or in part from the votes cast in favour of that party or candidate in the election.
• Reduce the number of votes cast in favour of a party or candidate.

If the Commission upholds an objection after the results of an election have been declared, it may:

• Amend the result.
• Refer the objection to the Electoral Court for its decision, if the Commission holds the opinion that the seriousness and extent of unlawful conduct or irregularities justify the setting aside of an election.

The Commission said it would spare no effort to finalise the objections before announcing the election results.

Results processing update

Results processing has been completed for all municipalities in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

Results processing is nearing completion in the remaining three provinces:

• Gauteng: results processing is pending finalisation in Emfuleni, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities.
• North West: results processing is pending finalisation in Rustenburg municipality.
• KwaZulu-Natal: results processing is pending finalisation in Msunduzi and eThekwini municipalities.

The IEC said results processing in these municipalities would be completed by Saturday evening.

“We urge contesting parties and candidates, citizens and the media to bear with the Commission as it winds up the rest of the remaining processes. The Commission plans to announce the Local Government Elections 2026 results on Sunday 8 November 2026 at 6pm,” Moepya said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.