Khayelitsha votes to be recounted

The anticipated release of the overall results for the Cape Town metropolitan council have been delayed after an Independent Electoral Commission official failed to submit result slips for scanning in 20 voting stations in Khayelitsha.

The IEC has decided the crucial votes in the township will now have to be recounted. It is expected that this will take up to four hours and officials say an announcement could be made at 6pm.

The DA has made strong inroads already and the IEC has confirmed that the DA has wrested control of former ANC strongholds such as Gatesville in Athlone, which the ANC won with 34% of the vote in 2006.

Other areas to fall to the DA include Cape Town areas Driftsand, Eersterivier and Atlantis.

DA member of Parliament Tim Harris said it was “frustrating” that the results have been delayed, but said it was just a minor complaint.

Along with other officials from parties gathered at the IEC centre in Bellville-South, Harris looked fatigued after working around the clock during the elections this week.

“We still believe we are on track to achieve our objective of reaching an overall majority,” he said.