Results Processing Successfully Completed and Determination of Objections Under Way for LGE 2026
Following a successful results processing phase, the Commission is now engaged in determining objections that are material to the result of the election.
Parties and independent candidates had until 17h00 on 6 November 2026 to lodge objections.
Beyond this deadline, the Commission may in terms of Section 65(3) on good cause shown, condone a late written objection.
Clarification on Objections
The requirements and process of lodging objections are prescribed in the law and are not determined by the Commission. Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act (MEA) allows interested parties to lodge objections material to the final results of the election with the Commission. Such an objection must relate to any aspect concerning voting, counting of votes, alleged unlawful interference with or obstruction of election activities or processes in the vicinity of, at or in a voting station, interference with or influencing, intimidation or obstruction of voters in the vicinity of, at or in a voting station.
The objection must be served on the Commission by way of a written “notice of objection” by not later than 17h00 on the second day after the voting. The written notice of objection must, among others, contain:
- a reference to the election concerned and the section of the Act in terms of which the objection is brought;
- the full name and physical address of the objecting party;
- the contact details of the objecting party;
- the interest of the party in the matter;
- details of the objection and the aspect of the election concerned;
- detailed reasons for the objection;
- the relief sought;
- a list of any supporting documents accompanying the notice of objection; and
- proof of service of copies of the notice and annexures on all other interested parties.
Objections vis-à-vis complaints
The Commission wishes to clarify that objections envisioned under Section 65 are not synonymous with complaints. To facilitate definitive election outcomes, objections are limited to matters that are material to the result.
By way of illustration, the objections dispensation excludes the following:
- Belated voters’ roll objections that are lodged outside of the prescribed period in the Election Timetable.
- Ward demarcation disputes, candidate nomination selection processes within political parties.
- Complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct, provided that those complaints do not relate to voter intimidation or aspects of voting or counting.
Commission to investigate and decide on objections
On receipt of the objections, the Commission must, in terms of Sections 65(4) and 65(5), investigate the objection and either uphold the objection or reject it. The Commission must notify the objector and any interested party of its decision.
The Commission wishes to clarify that where it concludes that the objection merits upholding, the Commission may do this before or after the election results are declared.
Upholding the objection before results declaration
If the Commission upholds the objection before the results of the election are declared, it may:
- decide that the votes cast at a particular voting station do not count in whole or in part.
- decide that the votes cast at a particular voting station in favour of a party or candidate must be deducted in whole or in part from the votes cast in favour of that party or candidate in the election.
- reduce the number of votes cast in favour of a party or candidate.
Upholding the objection after the results have been declared
If the Commission upholds an objection after the results of an election have been declared, it may:
- Amend the results.
- Refer the objection to the Electoral Court for its decision, if the Commission holds the opinion that the seriousness and extent of unlawful conduct or irregularities justify the setting aside of an election.
Status of objections
The Commission reminds contestants and members of the public that results remain provisional until all objections have been determined by the Commission. Pertinently, provisional results may change as a consequence of the determination of an objection. In this regard, seats that are assigned in the provisional results may change because of the decision of the Commission in determining an objection.
As at 15h00 today, 7 November 2026, the Commission had received 197 objections. Of these, 54 have been dismissed, eight (8) were withdrawn, and two (2) have been upheld.
Of the two upheld objections:
a. Edit windows ordered: 1
b. Recounts ordered for 5 wards:
- City of Tshwane, ward 57, Village Montessori School (VD32980620)
- City of Tshwane, ward 102, Patt Projects (VD33110222)
- Mangaung Metro, ward 19, Ehrlich Park Fire Station (VD21860029)
- Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, ward 4, Shalom Church Centre (VD54860014)
- Breede Valley Local Municipality, ward 12, Christian Light Ministries (VD97520014).
The Commission will spare no effort to finalise the objections before it announces the election results.
Update on results processing
The Commission is pleased to report that at the time of the briefing, results processing has been finalised in respect of all municipalities in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces.
The three remaining provinces in the final leg of their results processing as follows:
- Gauteng Province: Results processing is pending finalisation in Emfuleni, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni municipalities.
- Northwest Province: Results processing is pending finalisation in Rustenburg municipality.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Results processing is pending finalisation in Msunduzi and eThekwini municipalities.
Results will be finalised in these municipalities by this evening.
We urge contesting parties and candidates, citizens and the media to bear with the Commission as it winds up the remaining processes.
The Commission plans to announce the 2026 Local Government Elections results on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at 18h00.
*Information provided by the publicist.
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