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IEC blames recounts for slow eThekwini vote count

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The Electoral Commission said about 50% of votes in eThekwini were counted by 2pm on Friday. The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party leads in the metro and has already won 17 wards.

The Electoral Commission said part of the delay came from recounts of ballots at some voting stations. eThekwini is the only metro in KwaZulu-Natal.

KwaZulu-Natal electoral officer Ntombfuthi Masinga spoke at a media briefing at the results operations centre in Durban. She said officials also had to reconcile the results slips against the number of ballot books issued.

Key facts

Who
Ntombfuthi Masinga (KwaZulu-Natal electoral officer, Electoral Commission); Electoral Commission (electoral body that reported the counting delays); uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (party leading in eThekwini with 17 wards won)
What
The Electoral Commission said part of the delay in counting votes in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal's only metro, was due to recounts of ballots from some voting stations. KZN electoral officer Ntombfuthi Masinga said a reconciliation of results slips against the number of ballot books issued was needed.
When
6 November 2026
Where
eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Status
Reported

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