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ANC wins 42% in Buffalo City as ward 15 ends in tie

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Empty council chamber with rows of wooden benches facing a raised table.

With counting in the Buffalo City metro nearly complete, the ANC has no clear majority. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the DA and EFF candidates in ward 15 each got 1,714 votes, and it may settle the tie by recount.

The IEC first flagged a coin toss to break the tie in ward 15. It then said it would consider a recount. The ANC remains the largest party in the metro in the Eastern Cape.

ANC provincial leader Oscar Mabuyane said the party expected to do better in the metro. He said the ANC is willing to work with other parties. He said parties will now get into talks on possible coalitions.

Mabuyane also said the DA federal executive would meet on Saturday morning to discuss any future coalition. The ANC in the province said its loss of ground is a sign of a maturing democracy.

Key facts

Who
Oscar Mabuyane (ANC provincial leader); Independent Electoral Commission (electoral body that announced the ward 15 vote tie); ANC (dominant party in Buffalo City without a clear majority); DA (party whose candidate tied with EFF candidate in ward 15)
What
Vote counting in the Buffalo City metro has all but concluded. The IEC said the DA and EFF candidates in ward 15 received exactly 1,714 votes each, and a coin toss was initially flagged before the IEC said it would consider a recount. The ANC remains the dominant party in the metro without a clear majority.
When
6 November 2026
Where
Buffalo City, Eastern Cape, Nompumelelo
Status
Reported

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