Close call for the ANC in Johannesburg
The ANC has failed to get an outright majority in
Johannesburg. The 2016 municipal elections drew to a close
yesterday, when the IEC announced the final results across the
country.
Johannesburg results were delayed but were released at around 21:00. The ANC won 44.55% of the vote, followed by the DA at 38.37 and the EFF at 11.09%
The Independent Electoral Commission says it's satisfied that the elections were conducted in a free and fair environment.
Nationally, the ANC maintained its majority with 53.91% support.
At least 15 million South Africans voted in this year's local elections and voter turnout improved to 58%.
The race for the country's financial hub, Johannesburg, became a marathon as results trickled in, showing the DA and ANC neck-and-neck in the city.
The IEC's CEO, Masotho Moepya, says these elections were by far the toughest.
"We are here today, because the people of South Africa will not be denied democracy. The 2016 municipal elections are without doubt the toughest we have faced as an institution since the dawn of our democracy 22 years ago", Masotho says.
"I am proud and pleased to say that I believe that we have faced this test and humbly I believe we have aced it", Masotho concludes.
While election season is officially over, coalition talk season has been ushered in.