The Western Cape’s 2026 local government election results have now been captured and audited, bringing the province’s counting process closer to a conclusion after outstanding votes, objections and a recount delayed the final confirmation, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reportedly confirmed that all results across the province have been entered into its system and audited, following additional verification prompted by statistical anomalies identified during the counting process.
The final stages of the count had drawn attention to Cape Town, which was the only municipality in the province with outstanding results on Friday evening.
At approximately 19:00 on Friday, about 70 voting slips were still awaiting tallying in the metro, while the IEC continued updating its online results dashboard. Western Cape provincial electoral officer Michael Hendrickse also confirmed that two objections had been lodged during the election process, with the commission still required to deal with the outstanding matters.
The IEC has confirmed that results processing is complete in the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. Gauteng, North West and KwaZulu-Natal are in the final stretch. Tune in to #eNCA on #DStv403. https://t.co/QTE0KsktE2
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 7, 2026
Recount conducted in Breede Valley
Reportedly, one of the important developments during the final verification process was a recount in a single voting district in the Breede Valley Municipality. The recount followed an objection and was conducted in the presence of political party agents, with the IEC confirming that the process had been completed.
Hendrickse said objections that could affect an election outcome must be addressed in accordance with the law, adding that the recount demonstrated the importance of accounting for every vote.
‘In this regard, following an objection, we can confirm that there has already been one recount, which has now been concluded in a single voting district in the Breede Valley Municipality in the presence of party agents.’
– Michael Hendrickse, Western Cape provincial electoral officer
The IEC also explained that its results system had identified statistical irregularities during the counting process. These required further checks before the results could be signed off.
Cape Town remained the final counting focus
The City of Cape Town was the last municipality in the Western Cape with outstanding results as the counting process entered its final stages. The DA remained on course to secure a comfortable majority in the metro, although the final figures still needed to be confirmed.
Hendrickse previously acknowledged that objections had added to the time needed to complete the provincial process.
‘We have been dealing with some objections, and we have responded to them. So we’re also waiting for the outcome from the commission.’
– Michael Hendrickse, Western Cape provincial electoral officer
While the final verification process may have extended the wait for official results, the IEC’s confirmation that all provincial results have now been captured and audited marks an important step towards closing the election process.
For voters and political parties alike, the additional checks and recounts underline the importance of ensuring that declared election outcomes reflect the votes actually cast.
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Picture: Chris McGrath / Gallo Images
