Half the votes counted: ANC on 31.9%, DA on 26.4%. Where it stands
With 49% of voting districts counted, the ANC has 31.9% of the national ward vote, the DA 26.4% and the MK Party 7.4%. Gauteng and KZN still have the most to count.
With about half of South Africa's voting districts counted, the ANC has 31.9% of the national ward vote and the DA 26.4%, a gap of about 314,000 votes. The MK Party is third on 7.4%, according to provisional IEC results compiled by ESP at 17:29 on Thursday.
ESP counted 11,690 of 23,696 voting districts (49.3%), with turnout so far at about 52.6%.
How many votes does each party have so far?
| Party | Ward votes counted | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ANC | 1,840,571 | 31.9% |
| DA | 1,526,087 | 26.4% |
| MK Party | 425,910 | 7.4% |
| EFF | 335,195 | 5.8% |
| ActionSA | 214,430 | 3.7% |
| IFP | 213,490 | 3.7% |
| VF Plus | 208,765 | 3.6% |
| PA | 178,932 | 3.1% |
| SACP | 154,092 | 2.7% |
| UDM | 64,777 | 1.1% |
Source: ESP national results page, from IEC data, ward ballot, 49.3% of voting districts counted.
Which provinces still have the most to count?
Gauteng is the furthest behind, with 892 of 2,836 voting districts in, and the DA leading there on about 36%. Limpopo has 769 of 3,315 in, and KwaZulu-Natal 1,636 of 5,028, with the MK Party ahead in KZN on about 33.6% (ESP). The Northern Cape is the most complete, at 599 of 735.
Because Gauteng and KZN are big and still largely uncounted, the national shares can still move by several points.
Does the national share decide who runs my council?
No. Local elections are about each council. The national total is a guide to party strength, but who governs your municipality depends on seats won there, as explained in Reported's guide to how council seats are calculated. Many councils are heading for coalitions, as shown by The Outlier's council tracker.
When will the final count be announced?
The IEC expects to declare final results around 11 November. Live figures are on the official IEC results dashboard, and everything stays provisional until the IEC declares it.
FAQ
How much of the 2026 local election vote has been counted?
About 49% of voting districts, 11,690 of 23,696, by 17:29 on 5 November 2026, according to ESP's IEC-based tracker.
Which party is leading nationally?
The ANC, with 31.9% of the ward vote counted so far, ahead of the DA on 26.4%.
When are final results due?
The IEC expects to declare final results around 11 November 2026.