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IEC weighs action after party tears up ballots in Northern Cape

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said a local party stormed a counting centre at Bongani Community Hall and tore up at least 100 ballot papers. Deputy CEO Masego Sheburi said the party also interfered with the ballots.

Sheburi spoke at a media briefing at the electoral results centre in Midrand on Thursday. IEC officials said several disruptions had been recorded at counting centres. At least two centres had to move to other venues.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said 65 of 213 municipalities, or 31%, had finished capturing, scanning, auditing and the exception process. More than 60% of votes nationally had been captured. The IEC had scanned 40,202 result slips, and 32,238 had gone through independent audits.

Officials said results stay provisional until objections are settled. A report said the commission is expected to announce the final results on Sunday.

Key facts

Who
Masego Sheburi (IEC deputy CEO); Mosotho Moepya (IEC chairperson); Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (election management body investigating the disruption); Local political party in the Northern Cape (unnamed party accused of storming the counting centre and tearing ballot papers)
What
During a media briefing at the electoral results centre in Midrand, IEC officials said several disruptions had been recorded at counting centres, forcing relocation of at least two. By Thursday afternoon, 65 of 213 municipalities had completed capturing and auditing, and results remain provisional until objections are finalised.
When
5 November 2026
Where
Northern Cape, Midrand, Bongani Community Hall
Status
Reported

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