IEC confirms time for 2026 Local Government Election results announcement

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has confirmed when the official results of the 2026 Local Government Elections will be announced.

The commission plans to announce the election results on Sunday, 8 November from 18:00.

ELECTIONS 2026 | Result: DA wins Nelson Mandela Bay metro

The announcement will bring the national counting process to its formal conclusion following several days of voting, counting and results capturing across the country.

South Africans are now awaiting the final outcome of an election that has delivered significant political shifts, particularly in several major metropolitan municipalities.

Latest numbers

As at the time of publishing, 99% of the votes around the country have been tallied.

The ANC are on track to record the greatest number of votes – but will receive a record low amount of around 30.84%.

In the most recent 2021 elections, the ANC garnered 45.59%.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will finish second with around 24.6% (21.66% in 2021), with the MK Party in third with roughly 9.66%.

The MK Party were formed in 2023 and therefore did not contest the 2021 elections.

Coalition negotiations expected to follow

The 2026 elections have produced several closely contested councils, with smaller political parties potentially holding the balance of power.

The formal announcement of results will provide the basis for the next stage of negotiations as political parties seek to establish municipal administrations.

For voters, the announcement will confirm the final outcome of an election that will determine who governs South Africa’s municipalities over the next five years.