ANC heading for WORST-ever election result as votes trickle in

South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) is heading for its worst-ever election result, with the party’s support slipping to just below a third of the national vote as counting in the 2026 local government elections continues.

With 87% of voting districts counted on Friday, 6 November, the ANC was sitting at 31.73%, according to provisional results.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) was in second place with 23.99%, while former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party had climbed to 9.41%.

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Significant setback

The figures represent a significant setback for the ANC, which has governed South Africa since the advent of democracy in 1994.

The party, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has experienced a steady decline in electoral support over the past two decades.

In 2004, the ANC secured almost 70% of the national vote. It dropped below the 50% mark for the first time in the 2021 local government elections, when it received 45.59%.

Its performance deteriorated further in the 2024 national and provincial elections, when it secured just over 40% and lost its parliamentary majority.

The result forced the ANC into a government of national unity with the DA and several other political parties.

ANC LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION RESULTS SINCE 2000

Year	Percentage
2000	59.39%
2006	64.82%
2011	61.95%
2016	53.91%
2021	45.59%
2026	31.73% *

* Not final

Service delivery under scrutiny

The ANC’s declining support has been attributed to growing voter dissatisfaction over unemployment, crime, corruption and poor service delivery.

Municipalities across the country have faced criticism over failing water supplies, power interruptions, deteriorating infrastructure and unreliable public services.

The party has also faced pressure from splinter movements, including the MK Party, which was formed by Zuma after his fallout with the ANC.

The 2026 local government elections are an important test of whether the ANC can recover support ahead of the 2029 national elections.

Coalition negotiations loom

The results are also expected to have significant consequences for the country’s major metropolitan municipalities.

In Johannesburg, the DA was leading the partial count, while the ANC faced a substantial challenge from smaller parties.

The DA was also on course to retain control of Cape Town, where it has governed for several years.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the MK Party was putting pressure on the ANC, with the outcome in eThekwini municipality – which includes Durban – emerging as one of the key contests.

The prospect of hung councils in several major cities means coalition negotiations are likely to play a central role in determining who governs.

Unlike national elections, local government results are decided council by council. A party’s national vote share does not automatically determine who controls a particular municipality.

Councillors must secure enough support within their respective councils to elect mayors and establish governing administrations.

Voter turnout increases

An estimated 54.5% of registered voters participated in the elections, up from approximately 46% in the 2021 local government elections.

About 15.9 million of the country’s 29.2 million registered voters cast ballots, according to the figures provided by the Electoral Commission.

The final outcome could still shift as the remaining voting districts are counted and results are verified.

The Electoral Commission is expected to announce the final results on Sunday once the counting and verification process has been completed.