IEC
The Electoral Commission of South Africa has declared the 2024 national and provincial elections free and fair, adding that it was “like no other before.”
The final election results were announced on Sunday evening at the IEC’s results operations centre in Midrand where President Cyril Ramaphosa received the list of elected officials who will fill the seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies.
President Ramaphosa said this is the time to put South Africa first, as parties now have to work to establish a government after no party won a clear majority.
The ANC, which still emerged as the largest party, lost heavily and for the first time in 30 years did not win a clear majority, emerging with 40.1% of the just over 16 million South Africans who voted.
The DA garnered 21.8% with the big surprise being the newly-formed MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma which emerged with 14.5% of the vote to become the country’s third largest party.
However, Zuma ‘boycotted’ the results announcement, warning earlier of a challenge against the outcome.
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In his address, President Ramaphosa made a clarion call on parties to put aside their differences and to work
“What this election has made plain is that the people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs.
“They expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, to overcome their differences, to act and work together for the good of everyone.
“Our people expect all parties to work together within the framework of our constitution and address whatever challenges we encounter peacefully and in accordance with the prescripts of our constitution and the rule of law,” Ramaphosa said.
Chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, said the 2024 election marked a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic journey.
“Election 2024 was like no other before. Features pointed to political dynamism and operational complexity,” he said.
He also emphasized that the people had “expressed their choices through the ballot box” adding that their choices must be respected.
“The choice of a voter is sovereign and may not be negated in any form whatsoever,” he said.
