Pretoria - The Free State has become the second province in the country to have all the votes counted, after the Northern Cape.
By Friday afternoon, the province had completed counting in all 1 531 voting districts as well as the 19 municipalities. In addition, all 606 seats had been allocated.
At the end of counting, the ANC had garnered 61.53% of support, DA 20.38% and the EFF at 9.69%.
The ANC retained the Mangaung Metropolitan with a firm 56.52% of support. The DA came in at 25.96% and EFF 8.66%.
Mangaung was watched with interest as it is the birthplace of the ruling party.
The party obtained 58 seats in the metro, while the DA garnered 27 seats. In 2011, the ANC had 66.27% of support and 65 seats in the metro.
Meanwhile, IEC spokesperson in the province Mmathabo Rasengane said the province had seen a voter turnout of 56.24% - which is 829 349 voters – in Wednesday’s poll.
A total 27 political parties and 83 independent candidates took part in the municipal elections.
“These elections would not have been successful without the assistance of all presiding officers, deputy presiding officers, area managers, electoral staff, data capturers, casual staff and other stakeholders and this is highly appreciated,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
