The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announced its first set of results, just a little after midnight. These were collated polls from the Mbizana Baptist Church in the Madikizela Mandela Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
The 2024 provincial and general elections have been characterised by extraordinarily long queues with several parties, bystanders, and analysts raising concerns over the commission’s ability to effectively process the ballots of those who cast their votes.
The African National Congress (ANC) took an early lead on the Eastern Cape’s national ballot following the counting of hundred sixty-three valid ballots from the small municipality.
Despite some technical setbacks at voting stations across the country, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya made the announcement.
Valid votes at this hour: 163
ANC: 99
EFF: 29
MK: 17
UDM: 8
DA: 5