IEC Declares 2026 local elections ‘free and fair’ as SA enters coalition era

When the IEC calls an election “free and fair,” it is giving its assessment that voters could participate in a credible process without serious disruption or evidence of unacceptable manipulation. In this case, the declaration also supports confidence in South Africa’s democratic institutions and signals a predictable political process to investors.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the elections were largely conducted peacefully. He based that view partly on the Elections Satisfaction Survey 2026, which examined voters’ opinions about the election process, its integrity and its operational efficiency.

The declaration does not mean every election activity was perfect. It means the commission was satisfied with the overall conduct of the polls. Economists said this positive image mattered because free and fair elections can strengthen political confidence, investment expectations and the credibility of incoming local administrations.

The ANC remained the largest party in the reported national results, with 30.89% of the vote and 3,164 council seats. The DA followed with 24.60% and 1,527 seats. These figures show that the election produced a competitive, fragmented political landscape rather than one overwhelming winner.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party received 9.61% and won 701 seats. The EFF received 6.25% and secured 505 seats. ActionSA recorded 5.68% and won 219 seats. Together, these parties added substantial representation beyond the two largest parties.

Other political parties and independent candidates collectively received 22.97% of the vote and gained representation across municipal councils. The article connects this spread of votes and seats with a further shift toward multiparty coalitions at municipal level, making cooperation and negotiations increasingly important.

Coalition government becomes more likely when no single party wins enough seats to control a municipal council. The results show a broad distribution of support: the ANC received 30.89%, the DA 24.60%, and other parties and independents together received 22.97%. This makes one-party control less certain in many municipalities.

The article directly describes a “definitive further shift and realignment towards multiparty coalitions at municipal level.” It also refers to “so many hung councils” spread across provinces. In those councils, parties must find partners to approve leadership arrangements and establish working administrations.

That process can produce cooperation, but it also brings risks. Professor Raymond Parsons warned that coalition horse-trading over the next two weeks should protect political stability. Stable partnerships could support local economic development, while prolonged disputes could weaken municipal performance and investor confidence.

In standard local-government usage, a hung council is a council in which no party holds a majority of seats. Without a majority, the largest party cannot automatically govern alone. It needs support from other parties to establish leadership and pass important decisions.

The election results created a fragmented landscape, with the ANC, DA, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, EFF, ActionSA and other groups winning seats. The article refers to many hung councils dispersed across provinces. That distribution means parties may need to negotiate separately in different municipalities.

The negotiations are time-sensitive. Dr Thina Nzo said parties had only short two-week deadlines, making broad consultation with their constituencies difficult. She described transparency in negotiations as the more workable option under these constraints. The aim is to produce partnerships capable of forming stable local administrations.

Coalition instability can make local government less predictable. If negotiations produce fragile administrations, parties may struggle to agree on priorities, budgets and implementation. The article links political stability directly to maximising local economic development and improving the investment climate.

The practical stakes are basic services. Professor Raymond Parsons said businesses cannot operate without dependable water, electricity, roads and logistics. He also said municipalities are economic “engine rooms,” so weak governance can affect business activity, job creation and infrastructure delivery at the local level.

South Africa is seeking to move beyond its narrow 1% to 2% GDP growth range. Parsons argued that functional local governments are needed for that change. Incoming administrations therefore face pressure to cooperate, fix municipal governance and deliver services. Business partnerships may help, but parties must first create stable and accountable councils.

Municipalities matter because they control or influence the everyday conditions that support local economic activity. Professor Raymond Parsons called them “engine rooms of the economy” and said they drive outcomes at the local coalface. Their performance therefore affects businesses, workers and communities directly.

The article identifies dependable water, electricity, roads and logistics as essential. Businesses cannot operate reliably when these systems fail. Effective municipal governance also supports infrastructure delivery and creates a more positive environment for private investment and job creation.

This importance is especially clear while South Africa remains stuck in a narrow 1% to 2% GDP growth range. Parsons said breaking out of that range depends on functional local governments. New administrations must improve governance and service delivery, while business can act as a constructive partner through public-private partnerships and stronger engagement with municipal leaders.

Municipal governments are responsible for maintaining the local systems people and businesses rely on, including water, electricity and roads. The article presents these services as central to economic activity, because businesses cannot operate without dependable infrastructure and logistics.

On financing, the article specifically mentions national-to-local operating subsidies, municipal capital grants and subsidies for free basic services such as electricity and water. It reports that annual per-resident operating subsidies were cut by 11%, while municipal capital grants were reduced by 1.5%. These figures point to pressure on municipal funding.

Patrick Bond also said fewer than three million households actually qualify for free basic-service subsidies because of means-testing barriers, disputing a claim that 11 million households receive them. The article does not provide a complete account of municipal revenue, so it mainly highlights grants, subsidies and funding constraints.