Where voters can see results before they reach the IEC dashboard
MIDRAND — South Africans following Wednesday’s municipal elections can see their voting station’s result before it appears on the national dashboard. Once counting is complete, officials post a signed result slip at the station. The figures on that slip are then captured and verified before they reach the screens at the Electoral Commission’s National Results Operations Centre in Midrand.
Readers following the count from home can use TownPress’s live dashboard as results come in. For the latest figures, visit TownPress Election Results. For a closer look at the returns, visit the
The IEC’s election-day briefings first gave the public a measure of participation. Deputy chief electoral officer Masego Sheburi reported that more than 3.5 million people had voted by 10am on Wednesday, with Gauteng recording the largest number in the first three hours. During the preceding two days, the IEC recorded 1,425,942 special voters, including 451,090 who voted during home visits. Those figures show how many people participated. Party and candidate totals come from the count.
What officials check before signing the result
Counting normally takes place at the voting station. Officials account for the ballot boxes, check the security stamp on the back of each paper and separate the ballots by contest. A vote for a ward candidate is counted separately from a vote for a party list. Party agents, representatives of independent candidates and accredited observers may watch as officials sort, count and reconcile the papers.
For residents following a close council race, the signed slip establishes how one station voted. As other stations report, the totals on the dashboard can change, and an early lead alone cannot establish who will govern the municipality. The IEC’s timetable provides for final metro and local council results and seat allocations within seven days of the election. District council results are due within 14 days.
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