ELECTIONS 2026 | ANC leads nationwide as 98% of votes counted

The ANC remains South Africa’s leading political party as counting in the 2026 local government elections nears completion.

According to the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) dashboard at 08:54 on Saturday, 7 November, the ANC led nationally with 30.95% of valid votes, followed by the DA on 24.56%.

Former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party occupied third place with 9.62%, while the EFF stood at 6.26%.

The IEC had counted 98% of votes nationwide.

ANC leads in 115 municipal councils

The latest figures show the ANC leading in 115 councils across the country, compared with the DA’s 27 and MK Party’s 18.

However, leading a municipality does not necessarily mean securing enough seats to govern independently.

The ANC had secured outright control of 48 councils, followed by the DA with 11 and MK Party with three.

In terms of council seats, the ANC led with 3 036 nationally, while the DA had secured 1 373 and MK Party 672.

The EFF followed with 455 seats, ahead of ActionSA with 171 and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) with 161.

How does 2026 compare with 2021?

Although the ANC remains the largest party nationally, its share of the vote has fallen from approximately 45.6% in the 2021 municipal elections.

The DA, meanwhile, has increased its support from 21.7% to 24.56%.

ActionSA has also gained ground, securing 5.59% nationally, followed by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on 4.73%.

The results leave several municipalities without outright majorities, paving the way for coalition negotiations.

The ANC has already lost its majority in Mangaung, while the DA has emerged as the largest party in Nelson Mandela Bay.