In a surprise twist, an independent candidate beat all major parties in Ward 2 (Kwazamokuhle) with an outright win.

According to preliminary results, votes from only one voting district in the Steve Tshwete Municipality, Ward 11, comprising the Middelburg Mall node, Zuid, Mineralia, a portion of Eastdene, Extension 18 and Vaalbank, is yet to be certified by the IEC after an election bungle left the commission red faced.

A total of 107 ballot papers meant for Thaba Chweu (Graskop, Sabie, Lydenburg, Pilgrim’s Rest) were found among Ward 11’s ballots.

The 107 votes have been quarantined by the IEC until a decision is reached provincially, whether the ballots, cast against the party’s logo, would be allowed in the ward’s final count.

The DA is strongly objecting to the inclusion of the quarantined votes.

The party won the ward in a tight race with the ANC in 2016.

Meanwhile, according to the IEC, support for the ANC has shown a minimal increase overnight, with the party obtaining 37.23% of the votes thus far. The DA is trailing at 28.4%, the EFF at 14.97%, the MHRF with 11.09%, the FF+ with 5.44% and the ACDP at 0.65%.

Counting has been finalised. A total of 28 ward seats have been called by the IEC, with 21 for the ANC, six for the DA and one for independent candidate Thomas Mpye in Kwazamokuhle and Waaltuis, causing a great stir among political parties.

No proportional seats have been confirmed.

Proportional seats will be allocated according to the number of votes received by each party, once all results have been logged and verified.

The ANC has received a total of 33 876 votes, the DA 25 517 and the EFF 13 623.

• IMPORTANT: Voters that have been turned away after registering in their wards, have to lodge objections with the IEC by today.