South Africa’s election results process reaches an important deadline at 17:00 today, Friday, 6 November, when formal objections that could affect municipal election outcomes are due.

Editorial composite. Portrait adapted from DOC / SAnews.gov.za; illustrated background.

The deadline follows Wednesday’s local government elections. It does not mean final results will automatically be announced on Friday evening.

At Thursday’s IEC briefing, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said the Commission would be able to indicate when it would announce the final results once it had dealt with the objections.

What can be challenged?

Section 65 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act covers objections material to an election result. These can concern voting or counting proceedings, unlawful interference with election activities, or intimidation and obstruction of voters at or near voting stations.

The normal deadline is 17:00 on the second day after voting day. A written objection must identify the election, explain the objection and reasons, state the remedy sought, and include the required supporting information.

The Commission can investigate, seek further submissions or hold a hearing before deciding whether to uphold or reject an objection. Late objections may be condoned where good cause is shown, but acceptance is not automatic.

Why a ward poster is not the final council picture

Sheburi cautioned that results displayed at voting stations remain provisional until formally declared. An objection could lead to a recount and a lawful change.

A photograph of a results slip, a party’s victory claim and a completed council result should therefore not be treated as interchangeable.

The IEC explains that half of metropolitan and local council seats are filled by ward winners and half through proportional-representation allocation. A ward win therefore does not, by itself, settle a party’s final council-seat total.

When will the results be final?

The Commission must determine and publicly declare a municipality’s result after receiving all its ballot-count results. The ordinary legal period is seven days, with provision to apply to the Electoral Court for an extension if necessary.

For voters waiting to see who will represent them, today’s deadline is one step towards that final picture. Any announcement time should be checked against a fresh IEC statement.

Sources

KEEP READING