Elections
latest news & developments
When voters start asking questions after the ballot is cast
After local elections, some South African voters experienced regret upon discovering the full context behind social media campaign clips. Examining candidate records is crucial…
IEC Declares 2026 local elections ‘free and fair’ as SA enters coalition era
Following the IEC's declaration of the 2026 local government elections as free and fair, economists and political analysts weigh in on what the shift toward municipal coalitions…
‘No time for petty squabbles’, says Ramaphosa as coalition tensions brew
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties to negotiate in good faith to form functional municipal councils, warning that infighting must not hinder basic service…
ANC barely hangs on as DA and ActionSA make gains in final IEC results
The IEC has finalised the 2026 local government election results, showing the ANC clinging to a national lead with just 30.76% of the vote amid significant gains for the DA and…
Municipal Coalitions Bill - Why it is important
The parties in South Africa's Government of National Unity must unite to pass the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, establishing vital framework rules for stable local…
Trust in the IEC remains high, at 81%
President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the IEC's official announcement of the 2026 Local Government Elections final results at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
MK Party will not rescue parties rejected by voters, says Duduzane Zuma
Duduzane Zuma says the MK party will not rescue political parties rejected by voters, as coalition talks loom over hung municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal.
The ANC is still the largest party, but its mandate is shrinking
Despite remaining South Africa's largest party, voting-station data reveals the ANC lost nearly 700,000 votes while voter turnout rose, pointing to a shrinking mandate ahead of…
IEC orders recounts in five wards as election objections mount
The Electoral Commission of South Africa has ordered recounts in five wards across Tshwane and Mangaung as it handles nearly 200 objections ahead of Sunday's final results…
ANC admits service delivery failures hurt election campaign
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has admitted that voter frustration over poor service delivery, power cuts, water shortages, and internal divisions drove massive election…
MK Party sets coalition rules as it prepares to negotiate after local elections
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has established a national negotiating team to guide post-election coalition talks, maintaining that it will not compromise its principles to enter…
Malema calls for progressive alliance as EFF confronts electoral losses
EFF leader Julius Malema has addressed the party's declining electoral support, urging progressive parties to unite while pledging to direct party resources towards delivering…
DA and ActionSA face coalition test as Gauteng metros hang in the balance
The DA and ActionSA face high-stakes coalition talks as hung councils in major Gauteng metros leave the future of municipal governance hanging in the balance.
Shorter queues, high satisfaction — but voter trust in IEC slips
An HSRC survey reveals South African voters experienced shorter queues and were satisfied with the 2026 municipal elections, even as trust in the IEC continues to slip.
US midterm elections and Israel vote raise risk of renewed Iran war
Following pivotal elections in both Israel and the United States, diverging political imperatives for Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump could either reignite war with Iran or…