55% of votes counted, says IEC as it chases 90% goal on Tuesday

As at 7.30pm, 55% of the 64,502 results expected had been finalised, announced Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) Sy Mamabolo in a media briefing on Tuesday evening.

The Northern Cape has completed 89% of its results, followed by Western Cape at 72% and the Eastern Cape at 70%, with the rest of the provinces’ completion rate ranging between 37 and 67 per cent.

Mamabolo said some areas in Tshwane had a low ballot count due to the “infrastructure and the manpower”.

“It takes time to conclude the actual counting process,” said Mamabolo.

Meanwhile, Action SA leader Herman Mashaba said the party’s senate would meet tonight to discuss coalitions details.

“We have committed to engage residents on the coalition partners they would prefer us to consider. The ANC is the only party we have ruled out, but we will only consider arrangements that put the interests of the people ahead of politics and political parties.”