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ANC leads early count in local elections, DA close behind

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

With 21% of votes counted nationally, the ANC has 1.34 million votes and the DA has 1.27 million. Counting continues after South Africans voted on Wednesday in the local government elections.

The MK Party had 240,000 votes in the early count. A live blog reported these figures at 9:14am on 5 November. A preliminary national turnout of 45.8% was given at a provincial briefing.

In KwaZulu-Natal, preliminary turnout was 48.7%. Provincial electoral officer Ntombifuthi Masinga said the figures were provisional. Results from 18% of the province had been captured and 12% audited.

Voters were contesting 257 municipalities. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said voters who arrived before the 9pm closing time would still be allowed to vote.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said two of its members were hurt in an alleged attack by IFP supporters in Abaqulusi. Police said the incident was not politically motivated. Police also said a 25-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly disrupting voting at the Mugoboya voting station.

Key facts

Who
Sy Mamabolo (IEC chief electoral officer); Ntombifuthi Masinga (provincial electoral officer, KwaZulu-Natal); Jacob Zuma (MK Party president); Paul Mashatile (ANC deputy president)
What
South Africans voted on Wednesday 4 November 2026 in local government elections; a live blog reports early counting results, with 21% of votes counted nationally by 09:14 on 5 November, the ANC leading with 1.34 million votes followed by the DA with 1.27 million. National turnout was reported at 45.8% in a provincial briefing, and the IEC said a 9pm closing time would not stop voters who arrived…
When
5 November 2026
Where
South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng
Status
Reported

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