Emfuleni result: ANC weighs an Electoral Court bid. What we know
The ANC is considering an Electoral Court challenge to Emfuleni's 2026 result, where the DA won 40.9%. The IEC says the voters' roll dispute is already settled.
The ANC is considering taking the IEC to the Electoral Court over the 2026 election result in Emfuleni, the Vaal municipality that covers Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sebokeng and Sharpeville. Deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane told Sowetan that party structures had recommended legal action and that "we are considering that" (Sowetan).
No court papers have been reported as filed. Mokonyane did not say what the party's internal report found or whether it will go ahead (Sowetan).
How did Emfuleni vote?
The DA came first and the ANC lost close to half its support compared with 2021, according to figures reported by Sowetan.
| Party | 2021 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| DA | 26.91% | 40.9% |
| ANC | 39.71% | 23.9% |
Source: Sowetan
What is the ANC unhappy about?
Two things. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Saturday the party had asked for a recount in Gauteng and was still waiting for the outcome (Sowetan).
Separately, the ANC in Sedibeng says it found problems in the certified voters' roll for Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi. These are the party's claims, from its own analysis of the roll on 7 August (News24; SABC News):
| ANC claim | Figure |
|---|---|
| Voters registered at one address in Sebokeng Unit 13 | 1,582 |
| Voters registered at one address in Sharpeville | 1,256 |
| Voters registered at one address in Sebokeng Unit 11 | 965 |
| Voters registered at one address in Evaton West | 779 |
| Voter records with no address | 32,182 |
| Same ID details in more than one voting district | 34 |
The party said these findings do not, on their own, show wrongdoing by individual voters (News24).
What does the IEC say?
The IEC says the voters' roll dispute has already been settled. The ANC took it to the Electoral Court before the election and lost, and "there is judicial finality on the matter", the commission told News24 (News24).
On voters without addresses, the IEC pointed to section 47(7) of the Municipal Electoral Act, which regulates how those voters take part. It also said recounts are "an in-built mechanism" of counting: section 62(5) of the Electoral Act lets counting officers order a recount any time before they finalise a result (News24).
Recounts have changed outcomes elsewhere this week. In Atteridgeville, Tshwane, three wards first said to be won by ActionSA went to the ANC after recounts that followed an ANC complaint (News24).
What does the DA say?
DA Emfuleni mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala dismissed the ANC's concerns. He said the DA had itself lodged objections about some addresses, before the election and after counting began (Sowetan).
Does this delay Emfuleni's new council?
Not automatically. Every new council must hold its first meeting, where the speaker and mayor are elected, within 14 days of being declared elected, which for most councils means by 22 November 2026, and coalition talks don't pause that clock (Inside Politics). No court order affecting Emfuleni's council has been reported. Read our explainer on how the 22 November mayor deadline works.
We'll update this article if the ANC files papers or the IEC responds.
FAQ
Is the ANC taking the IEC to court over Emfuleni?
It is considering it. ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane told Sowetan on 9 November 2026 that party structures recommended Electoral Court action, but no court papers have been reported as filed.
Who won Emfuleni in the 2026 local elections?
The DA came first with 40.9% and the ANC second with 23.9%, according to figures reported by Sowetan. In 2021 the ANC had 39.71% and the DA 26.91%.
What does the IEC say about the Emfuleni voters' roll?
The IEC says the ANC already lost an Electoral Court case on the Sedibeng voters' roll before the election and that there is judicial finality on the matter.
When must Emfuleni's new council elect a mayor?
New councils must hold their first meeting within 14 days of being declared elected. With results declared on 8 November 2026, that is by 22 November 2026.