Election Results Not Final Yet: IEC Reveals Why Political Parties Could Still Gain Or Lose Seats

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has cautioned political parties and voters that the provisional seat allocations from the 2026 Local Government Elections could still change while outstanding objections are being investigated.

IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya delivered the warning during a media briefing at the National Results Operations Centre at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

Moepya explained that although vote counting and verification were nearing completion, the provisional figures should not yet be regarded as the final election outcome.

He said objections lodged with the Commission could affect the allocation of seats in some municipalities, depending on the outcome of the investigations.

The announcement comes at an important stage of the electoral process, as political parties assess their performance and determine how many representatives they could secure in municipal councils.

In closely contested municipalities, even a small adjustment to the final figures could influence the balance of power and affect which parties have the strongest representation.

Under South Africa’s local government electoral system, municipal councils are made up of ward representatives and councillors elected through proportional representation. The final distribution of seats therefore depends on verified results and the applicable electoral procedures.

The IEC is required to consider valid objections raised by political parties and other eligible stakeholders during the electoral process. These complaints may relate to alleged irregularities, disputed results or possible procedural violations.

Each objection must be examined using the available evidence and relevant electoral laws. If an investigation establishes that a complaint is valid and affects the official results, the Commission may have to make adjustments to the provisional figures.

However, the existence of an objection does not automatically mean that the results or seat allocations will change. Any amendments will depend on the findings of the investigations.

Political Parties Await Final Allocations

The possibility of changes has attracted attention from political parties across the country, particularly those competing in municipalities where the results are close.

The number of seats secured by each party determines its representation in municipal councils, which make important decisions concerning service delivery, infrastructure, municipal budgets and community development.

In municipalities without an outright majority, the final allocation could also influence coalition negotiations and decisions about council leadership.

Moepya’s warning reinforces the importance of completing all verification procedures before the election results are officially finalised.

The Commission must first address outstanding objections and ensure that the final figures accurately reflect the outcome of the elections.

Political parties, candidates and voters have therefore been urged not to treat the provisional seat allocations as final.

Once the remaining processes are completed, the IEC’s official announcement will provide a clearer picture of political representation across South Africa’s municipalities for the next local government term.

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