UDM lodges a complaint with IEC over Eastern Cape vote recount

The United Democratic Movement in the Eastern Cape has lodged a complaint with the IEC over the recounting of votes in several wards in Buffalo City Metro.

This comes as the party makes electoral gains, securing seats in both Buffalo City Metro and King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality.

The party says the voices of voters who supported it will not be undermined by those who have failed to deliver on their promises.

UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa says consistency and growing public trust have contributed to the party’s improved electoral performance.

“So, we want to ensure that the final figure which is captured on the system is the correct one, so that no one steals people’s votes. So, what they do is, when we have won a ward by a tight margin, they ask for a recount. And every time they ask for a recount, the new ballot papers appear, three, four, five, and they are declared winners. That’s absolute nonsense. So, we are not going to allow them to do that.”

Meanwhile, Kwankwa says the party is willing to engage in coalition talks with other political parties, but has ruled out the ANC, saying it will not be part of any coalition discussions.

“The coalition talks, well, preliminary talks are taking place, but they are still preliminary. They are informal. We’ve made it categorically clear that we have no intentions of going into coalition with the ANC. So, because we are not going to go into coalition with the ANC, there is no point in us having talks or discussions with the ANC. It would waste their time and our time. So, to be fair to them, they need to go and negotiate with other people.”

Reporter: Hlumisa Qabaka

X | @SABCNews | LGE 2026 | The UDM in Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape, says it is encouraged by the results so far, attributing its performance to sustained hard work and dedication in the region. https://t.co/pZ8kj3AS9L

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 6, 2026

WATCH | LGE 2026 | Fundiswa Mhlekunde with a numbers update from Mthatha at 46% of votes declared |