04/08/2016 IEC CEO Mosotho Moepya briefs the media at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe 04/08/2016 IEC CEO Mosotho Moepya briefs the media at the IEC National Results Operations Centre in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe
Pretoria - The IEC had counted 77.8 percent of votes for the local government election nationally by 11am on Thursday.
IEC chief electoral officer Mosotho Moepya told reporters he was pleased that only a handful of stations still needed to finish counting.
“Election officials under the watchful gaze of party agents and observers spent the night sorting and counting ballots at their voting stations to produce result slops for each of the voting stations,” Moepya told reporters at the IEC’s results headquarters in Pretoria.
While many were anxiously waiting, Moepya said the IEC would not rush the counting and compromise the results.
“The electoral commission is aware that South Africa is now eagerly awaiting the outcome of these results but we appeal for patience from all stakeholders to allow the process to follow due to diligence and accuracy.”
Gauteng has completed 47 percent of its counting with the ANC leading with 45.46 percent of the vote. The DA had 41.69 percent.
In the Northern Cape 99 percent of the votes had been counted, with only a few outstanding wards of the Sol Plaatjie municipality. The ANC is leading with 58.15 percent.
The Western Cape has completed 84 percent of its counting, with the DA dominating with 63.57 percent.
The IEC has assured that all issues with election staff were resolved at the Gauteng results centre in Johannesburg on Thursday morning.
Those who had threatened to walk out due to working extensive hours have gone home to rest with a new shift coming in.
“The electoral commission deployed the vice chairperson and the provincial electoral officer to the centre and the situation was resolved quickly.”
The IEC‘s counting headquarters in Pretoria was a swarm of activity on Thursday with politicians eyes glued to the leader board as results trickled in.
Elections Bureau