Election results await verification as KwaZulu-Natal recounts continue

The Electoral Commission of South Africa said final results from the 2026 local government elections were still being processed on Friday, with recounts delaying the provincial declaration in KwaZulu-Natal and verification work continuing nationally. The commission expects to announce the national results on Sunday, November 8, and KwaZulu-Natal results and municipal seat allocations at 5:30 p.m. that day. Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga said recounts in eThekwini and Msunduzi had slowed results processing. She said the commission was also dealing with delays in eight municipalities, including eThekwini, where a high volume of results contributed to the delay. Recounts were being used to reconcile results slips with the number of ballot papers issued, including valid, invalid and spoiled ballots. Masinga said the recounts were conducted in the presence of party representatives to address discrepancies and support a transparent process. She said the commission had captured 88 percent of provincial results at the time of her Friday briefing. An objection from Abaqulusi was under consideration, and further objections could be submitted until 5 p.m. Friday....