The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced the official results of the 2024 South African elections.
Here are the official election results
The African National Congress (ANC) received 6,411,090 votes, translating to 40.2% support, securing 160 seats in Parliament.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) followed with 3,483,972 votes (21.69%) and 87 seats.
M.K. received 2,328,217 votes (14.74%) and 58 seats, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) garnered 1,465,903 votes (9.43%) and 38 seats.
Other parties that won seats include:
- Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP): 609,227 votes (3.92%) – 17 seats
- Patriotic Alliance (PA): 316,633 votes (2.04%) – 9 seats
- Freedom Front Plus (VF PLUS): 211,183 votes (1.36%) – 6 seats
- ActionSA: 180,344 votes (1.16%) – 5 seats
- African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP): 92,563 votes (0.6%) – 3 seats
- United Democratic Movement (UDM): 76,634 votes (0.49%) – 3 seats
- African Transformation Movement (ATM): 2 seats
- Al Jama-ah: 2 seats
- Build One South Africa (BOSA): 2 seats
- Rise Mzansi: 2 seats
- Pan Africanist Congress (PAC): 2 seats
- Congress of the People (COPE): 1 seat
- Good Party: 1 seat
Parties that have objected to the results
Several political parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the IEC’s handling of the vote count.
In the Western Cape, 16 parties signed a letter requesting an extension of the objection period, citing discrepancies in several districts.
These parties raised concerns about the IEC’s capacity to manage the high voter turnout and alleged irregularities during the election process.
Ace Magashule, leader of the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), also lodged an objection, claiming the election was rigged. Magashule filed a complaint with the IEC and laid fraud charges with the police.
Jacob Zuma’s MK Party is also included in the growing list of parties that have called for a manual recount.
The IEC is expected to provide an update on the election’s outcome and objections later today.
What happens now?
Following the announcement of the election results, the process moves to the allocation of seats in Parliament. By law, the election results must be declared within seven days of the election.
The IEC will then designate members for the National Assembly and submit the lists to the Chief Justice of South Africa, who will hand them over to Parliament through the Secretary of Parliament.
Before performing their functions, members of the National Assembly must swear an oath of faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution.
The election of the President, who must be a Member of the Assembly, is presided over by the Chief Justice. This election can only occur once the National Assembly is duly constituted.
Once the President is elected, they will appoint their cabinet and begin their term.
Throughout this process, the IEC remains the only institution legally mandated to announce the official election results.