LGE2026: 65% of Western Cape election results captured, IEC says - IOL

Western Cape Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse. P

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says 65% of Western Cape results slips were captured and audited by Thursday afternoon, with the City of Cape Town being the only municipality outstanding. 

In a press briefing at the Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Western Cape on Thursday, IEC Western Cape Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse said the results verification process was progressing well, with several municipalities already finalised.

Among the municipalities where results have been completed are Prince Albert, Langeberg, Oudtshoorn, Kannaland, Swellendam, Knysna, Cape Agulhas, Bitou, Matzikama, Cederberg, Bergrivier and Swartland.

The IEC said the City of Cape Town is among the last municipalities that would be finalised.

IEC says 15.9 million South Africans participated in the 2026 local government elections.

Special voting took place on Monday and Tuesday, while general voting was held on Wednesday, November 4.

About 29.2 million registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots to elect local government representatives.

However, some voting stations across the country were still experiencing long queues on Wednesday night, prompting the IEC to extend voting arrangements to allow those already in line to cast their ballots.

Meanwhile, more than 800 complaints had been lodged by contestants by Wednesday night.

Hendrickse said there were no election-related disruptions reported on Thursday. 

"There’s not been a situation where there’s been a disruption at our voting station that we feel responsible for," he said. 

The commission said complaints and objections raised by political parties must be dealt with through the appropriate legal channels, including an application in terms of Section 65 of the Electoral Act.

The DA emerged as the largest party in several municipalities in the province, although several councils remain without an outright majority, potentially setting the stage for coalition negotiations.

The IEC is expected to announce the final election results in the next few days, subject to the conclusion of the objections process.