POLOKWANE – The counting and verification of votes will continue today (Thursday) and Friday following the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in the province confirmed.

Counting and verification underway

Provincial elections spokesperson Simon Thobakgale said the two days would be dedicated to counting and verifying votes. By Friday evening, the results are expected to be known internally, although formal announcements will follow later.

National results will be announced on Sunday, while the IEC in Limpopo is expected to formally declare the provincial results on Monday.

“The counting and auditing process will already be concluded by the weekend, with the official ceremony to be held at the Provincial Results Operations Centre,” he said.

The centre is based at The Ranch Resort.

Results centre prepares for final checks

The provincial manager for electoral operations, Itumeleng Seanego, speaking at the launch of the centre on Friday, said the Electoral Act allows the IEC seven days after voting to announce results. The commission, however, plans to use four days to strengthen the process, including dealing with objections. Although the IEC has traditionally announced results within three days, an additional day has been built into this year’s process to further strengthen its credibility, Seanego explained.

He said only 21 political parties would have dedicated representation at the Provincial Results Operations Centre. These parties are contesting across the province and have met the IEC’s requirements for representation. The centre will serve as a central hub where political parties, observers and the media can monitor the capturing and verification of election results.

Protecting the integrity of every vote

Speaking at the launch, provincial chief electoral officer Nkaro Mateta said the commission had a responsibility to ensure that every vote was protected and accurately counted.

“This is the responsibility we carry as electoral stakeholders,” she said. Mateta said South Africa’s democracy was born out of a long struggle for political freedom, equality and the right to participate in determining the country’s future.

“The elections of 1994 represented more than a change in government. They represented the restoration of the dignity of millions of people whose political voices had been denied,” she said.

Special voting took place on Monday and Tuesday for voters who had applied to cast their ballots early due to illness, disability or work commitments on election day. IEC teams visited homes, hospitals and other locations around Polokwane to assist approved voters. The Results Operations Centre continues to receive and capture results from voting stations across Limpopo’s five districts.

These results are being audited and verified before final certification on Monday.