ANC Holds Slim Lead at 31% as 95% of Local Election Votes Counted

The African National Congress (ANC) remains the leading political party nationally in South Africa’s 2026 local government elections, but the latest results indicate a significant decline in its support compared with previous elections.

With 95% of the votes counted, the ANC was sitting at 31.13% as of 23:02 on Friday night. The Democratic Alliance (DA) was in second position with 24.46%, narrowing the gap between the two parties.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) occupied third place with 9.65%, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had secured 6.21% of the votes counted so far.

Other political organisations were also reflected in the latest national results. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) had received 4.87%, followed by the South African Communist Party (SACP) with 2.45%. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) was further behind with 1.96%, while several smaller parties recorded lower percentages.

The figures, shared in the latest national update by MDN News, highlight the changing political landscape as the country approaches the conclusion of the election counting process.

Although the ANC remains ahead, its current performance represents a considerable drop from its position during the 2021 local government elections. The DA, meanwhile, has strengthened its national support and is putting pressure on the governing party in several important municipalities.

One of the major developments in this election has been the strong performance of the MK Party, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. The party has emerged as a significant political force in the province and is currently leading in important municipalities, including eThekwini.

The EFF, on the other hand, appears to have lost some ground compared with previous electoral contests, according to the provisional national figures.

The 2026 local government elections took place on Wednesday, with voters across South Africa choosing councillors to represent them in 213 municipalities. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is still processing results from voting stations, although most voting districts have already reported their figures.

The narrowing difference between the ANC and the DA is attracting considerable attention as political parties monitor the remaining votes. While the ANC is still the largest party nationally, the DA’s improved performance suggests that the competition for political influence has become increasingly intense.

Another important feature of this election is the possibility of hung councils in numerous municipalities. This happens when no single political organisation wins enough seats to govern independently, making coalition agreements necessary.

As a result, several parties are expected to enter negotiations to establish municipal administrations in different parts of the country. The outcome of these discussions could determine who controls key councils and how local government will operate over the next five years.

For ordinary residents, the biggest concern will be whether the incoming administrations can improve service delivery. Issues such as reliable water supply, electricity, employment opportunities, road maintenance and better municipal management are expected to dominate discussions once coalition arrangements are concluded.

With 5% of the votes still outstanding at the time of the update, the national percentages could change slightly. The ANC remains in first place for now, but the latest figures demonstrate that South Africa’s political landscape is becoming increasingly competitive.

The final results and subsequent coalition negotiations will provide a clearer picture of how political power will be distributed across the country’s municipalities.

https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2118812556231876715?a=il2xQEVr3UqPr-wVzxs&s=19

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