The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Eastern Cape says the local government elections were a resounding success despite minor disruptions.
Sixty-one political parties and 270 independent candidates were contesting for votes.
The province has captured over 80% of the results.
NEWS IN
Just spoke to an IEC official in NMB and he says all counting is now done in Nelson Mandela.They are now doing capturing which they say should be done by 12pm https://t.co/7rkNXoBsyk by 12pm we should have all results in for this highly contested Metro. #sabcnews
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) November 3, 2021
Provincial Electoral Officer Khayakazi Magudumana says the turnout however was disappointing.
“Our voter turnout is sitting at 36%, which is relatively low. It is a concern that people choose not to vote when there is dissatisfaction than choosing a person or a party that is different than the one they chose in the last election. And it seems to be a trend; if this particular party that I love hasn’t kept the promise then I stay away from the voting station,” says Magudumana.
Vote counting progree in the Eastern Cape:
Northern Cape
Meanwhile, vote counting has almost been concluded in the Northern Cape with capturing of just a few voting stations outstanding.
Provincial Head Bonolo Modise says they are now left with capturing results from the Joe Morolong Local Municipality after load shedding affected a voting station in the area on Tuesday night.
Preliminary results indicate that the African National Congress in the province has dropped its support from 59% in 2016 to 49.5%.
This is followed by the Democratic Alliance at 21.41% down from 32% in 2016, and the EFF at 9.05% up from 7% in 2016.
Modise says they should be done soon.
“We have decided to capture the results of Joe Morolong at our Ga-Segonyana office, which is not far. The treason for that is because we experienced a bit of difficulty with power yesterday and we just want to be safe that a repeat of that does not happen. This morning we should be able to complete those outstanding results.”
IEC officials in the Northern Cape say they should finalise votes soon: