The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Thursday announced the final results of the local government elections that resulted in a record 66 hung councils, where no party had an outright majority.
Announcing the results IEC Chair Glen Mashinini said the use of the new voter management system was a major milestone that eliminated any possibility of a person voting more than once.
The African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday won 161 councils with majorities, the Democratic Alliance (DA) came a distant second having won 13 councils, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) took third place winning 10 councils.
While there were 26,1 million registered voters, only 12,3 million turned up on Monday to vote.
The IEC said an official had been caught stuffing a ballot box and had been dealt with.
Despite this and other glitches with the new technology, the IEC said the elections were free and fair.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the elections which had more than 300 parties taking part were a sign of a maturing multiparty democracy.
“We can definitely say the people have spoken,” said Ramaphosa.
He said those who have been elected need to get down to work to make this a new era of improved delivery of services.
“We as leaders must put aside our differences and work together in a spirit of partnership, of cooperation, of collaboration, of common purpose in the interest of the people of South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.
The president thanked the IEC for the wonderful work they did”. The South African National Defence Force and police were lauded for securing the elections.
Ramaphosa also thanked the media for the “good, the bad and the ugly” that they “write about us” because they kept the nation informed about the elections.
