The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it’s hopeful all the capturing of the results of the 2021 local elections will be completed as planned tonight. So far over 99% of the results are being scanned and audited.
The IEC’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says they have completed almost 180 municipalities of the 257 countrywide. He says they are on track with the counting process and will declare the results on time as required by law.
The commission says it remains committed to finalising results with speed and efficiency while taking care to ensure that all necessary verifications are enforced.
Meanwhile, the IEC says it has received over 80 objections by the end of business on Wednesday. It says all these come from different political parties and independent candidates.
Although the commission didn’t elaborate on the nature of these objections, it says all of them are receiving the necessary attention. Commissioner Mosotho Moepya says they have leeway to resolve them after the final announcement of the results.
IEC briefing media on election results: 02 November 2021:
Anticipation is mounting as political parties are on standby for coalition talks.
After the 2019 elections, coalitions were the order of the day as discontent with parties increased in many municipalities and metros. The low voter turnout in this year’s LGE points to more hung municipalities than in 2016.
Coalitions are inevitable as only a few political parties have won outright majorities in municipalities. As the election results continue to trickle in, it has become clear that there are hung municipalities.
So far there are 44 hung councils with 97% of the votes counted. But the question is…will coalitions benefit ordinary South Africans or just the political parties?
Political parties have already declared that they will work with each other.
Counting is expected to be completed by Wednesday midnight and the IEC will announce the official results on Thursday.
Unpacking the politics of coalition governments:
