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ANC stays top in Free State local elections with 244 seats

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Empty debating chamber with rows of wooden benches facing a raised podium.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) came second with 150 seats and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) third with 40 seats, after vote capturing ended in the Free State. It is the second province to finish capturing votes in the 2026 local government elections.

The African National Congress (ANC) won 328 council seats across the Free State in the 2021 local government elections. Its 244 seats in 2026 are fewer than that.

Key facts

Who
African National Congress (leading party in the Free State province); Democratic Alliance (second-placed party in the Free State with 150 seats); Economic Freedom Fighters (party with 40 seats in the Free State)
What
With the Free State becoming the second province to complete vote capturing in the 2026 local government elections, the ANC won 244 seats, the DA 150 and the EFF 40. The article notes the ANC won 328 council seats across the province in 2021.
When
6 November 2026
Where
Free State
Status
Reported

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