President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties to respect the outcome of the 2026 Local Government Elections and work together to improve service delivery across South Africa.

Speaking at the declaration of the final results on Sunday, 8 November, Ramaphosa said voters had delivered their verdict and expected elected representatives to respond to their concerns.

“Let us move forward with humility, with determination and with a renewed commitment to the people of our country. The people have spoken. Their verdict must be respected. Their concerns must be heard. And their expectations must now be met.

“Let us work together to make local government work for every South African.”

The elections were held on Wednesday, 4 November, with the IEC announcing the results at its National Results Operations Centre in Midrand.

2026 Local Government Elections Produce 137 Hung Councils

The final results showed that no political party secured more than half the seats in 137 of the country's 213 municipal councils.

This is more than double the 66 hung councils recorded after the 2021 Local Government Elections and a significant increase from the 27 recorded in 2016.

The outcome means parties will have to negotiate coalition agreements or other arrangements to elect mayors and speakers and pass municipal budgets in the affected councils.

Ramaphosa said hung councils should not be viewed as a weakness of democracy, but as an expression of the choices made by voters.

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He urged political parties to put aside their differences and focus on the needs of residents.

“People did not cast their votes so that their representatives could spend the next five years fighting amongst themselves. They voted because they expected their lives to improve.

“This is what these elections were all about. They expect functional councils, capable administrators, and responsible leadership. They expect those whom they have elected to rise above their differences and work together,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa Acknowledges Municipal Service Delivery Challenges

The President said the elections took place against the backdrop of difficult economic conditions for many households, unemployment among young people and concerns about the standard of municipal services.

He described increased voter choice and competition between political parties as healthy signs of South Africa's democracy.

"To have our elections declared free and fair is an incredible achievement that all of us should truly be proud of," Ramaphosa said.

"We should applaud ourselves as a country."

He also referred to the revised White Paper on Local Government, saying it proposed significant changes to how municipalities operate and are managed.

According to Ramaphosa, the proposals include strengthening municipal finances, directing resources towards infrastructure maintenance and improving the efficiency and reliability of service delivery.

IEC Orders Revote At Douglas Voting Station

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission ordered a revote at the Douglas Voting Station in the Northern Cape after party supporters allegedly destroyed ballot papers before counting could take place.

The development was among the election-related issues reported as the country awaited the declaration of the final results.

The IEC had previously confirmed that it was processing objections relating to alleged irregularities and interference with election activities. Its published procedures allow the commission to make decisions affecting votes at particular voting stations where objections are upheld. <Cite refs={["turn609284search0"]}/>

Ramaphosa Thanks IEC And Election Officials

Ramaphosa also thanked the IEC, its commissioners and staff for their work in administering the elections.

He highlighted the importance of the commission's independence, integrity and credibility in maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.

The President acknowledged the contributions of security services, government institutions, political parties, candidates, election observers, volunteers and the media.

He also recognised thousands of election officials who worked long hours under challenging conditions.

South Africans who travelled long distances, waited in queues and exercised their democratic right to vote were also thanked, with particular recognition given to elderly voters.

“Democracy is a work in progress. It is the system that we have chosen together.

“We must work together to make sure it works for everyone. We thank all those who made this election free and fair,” Ramaphosa said.

He urged elected representatives to prove worthy of the trust placed in them by voters.

“The millions who turned out to vote have placed their trust in our democracy. Let us prove ourselves worthy of that trust. By putting communities first. By being responsive to their needs. By serving with humility. By never taking their confidence for granted.”