The Electoral Commission (IEC) says the processing of votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections has been successfully completed, with the focus now shifting to the determination of objections that could affect the final election results.
Political parties and independent candidates had until 17:00 on Friday, 6 November 2026 to submit objections that are material to the outcome of the election. The Commission said it may still consider late objections where good cause is shown in terms of the Municipal Electoral Act.
The IEC clarified that objections are different from complaints. Only objections that are material to the election results can be considered.
These may relate to voting, vote counting, unlawful interference with election activities, voter intimidation or obstruction at or near voting stations.
Matters such as ward demarcation disputes, internal political party candidate selection processes and complaints that do not affect voting or counting are excluded from the objection process.
The Commission said it is legally required to investigate every objection before deciding whether to uphold or dismiss it. Where an objection is upheld before the official declaration of results, the IEC may exclude votes from a voting station, deduct votes from a party or candidate or reduce the total votes recorded.
If an objection is upheld after the declaration of results, the Commission may amend the results or refer the matter to the Electoral Court if the irregularities are serious enough to justify setting aside the election.
The IEC reminded political parties, candidates and the public that all election results remain provisional until every objection has been determined. It warned that provisional seat allocations could still change depending on the outcome of the objection process.
As of 15:00 on Saturday, 7 November, the Commission had received 197 objections. Of these, 54 had been dismissed, eight withdrawn and two upheld.
The upheld objections resulted in one edit window being ordered and recounts in five wards located in the City of Tshwane, Mangaung Metro, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality and Breede Valley Local Municipality.
The IEC also reported that results processing has been completed in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo.
Processing was still being finalised in Emfuleni, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni in Gauteng, Rustenburg in the North West, and Msunduzi and eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Commission said these outstanding municipalities would be completed by Saturday evening.
The Commission said it plans to officially announce the 2026 Local Government Election results on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at 18:00.
