JOHANNESBURG, Thursday 5 November 2026 — The African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) are leading South Africa’s early local government election results as counting continues following Wednesday’s municipal polls, with smaller parties also securing representation in councils.
Early figures published on Thursday showed the ANC ahead nationally, although the gap between the two largest parties remained relatively narrow.
According to election results reported by BusinessTech, the ANC had received approximately 32.45% of the votes counted, compared with 30.34% for the DA, when results from 13.5% of voting districts were reflected.
The figures were preliminary and did not represent the final national outcome.
Metropolitan contests remain closely watched
In Gauteng, the DA was leading the early provincial count, followed by the ANC and ActionSA, according to Jacaranda FM Newswatch.
The province includes Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, where the eventual allocation of council seats will determine whether parties can govern independently or must negotiate coalition arrangements.
Early reporting also indicated that the MK Party was leading in KwaZulu-Natal, while the DA was ahead in the Western Cape.
The ANC was leading in the Eastern Cape, where a greater proportion of voting districts had been declared than in several other provinces.
These early geographical differences are significant because results from smaller voting districts may be processed before those from larger metropolitan areas.
Final results still pending
The Electoral Commission (IEC) is overseeing the counting, capturing and verification of results following the closure of voting stations at 21:00 on Wednesday.
Results are counted at individual voting stations before being processed and independently audited.
The commission has cautioned that early figures may change substantially as additional voting districts are declared.
The final results will determine the composition of municipal councils and the political negotiations required in municipalities where no party secures an outright majority.
