Elections – 73,6% votes captured by 16:30

UPDATE 12 – The counting process in the municipal elections is running smooth and at 16:30 this afternoon 73,6% of the results have been captured and final results should be available by Saturday.

Nkaro Mateta, Provincial Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) addressed a media briefing at the Results Operations Centre (ROC) this afternoon and said that provisional results indicate that the African National Congress (ANC) had 68,46%, followed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 16,95% and the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 8,17% by 16:30. Independent candidates have won three wards so far.

Mateta said that one objection has been received from the EFF in Thabazimbi and that the Electoral Commission will make a determination on this before the final announcement of the results.

“Several political parties attempted to stop counting in several municipalities such as Lepelle-Nkumpi and Ba-Phalaborwa. In some cases, the Police had to be invited to remove parties from the premises,” Mateta said and added that several cases of relating to non-compliance to the electoral code are being investigated. There was also a shooting incident at the voting station in Shigalo.

“The Electoral Commission is proud that once again Limpopo has voted peacefully, patiently and passionately,” Mateta concluded.

Story: Barry Viljoen

Featured photo: Nkaro Mateta, Provincial Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) addresses the media briefing at the Results Operations Centre (ROC) this afternoon.