IEC expects to finish counting votes from Thabazimbi by-election on Thursday morning

THABAZIMBI - The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said it expects to finish counting votes from Thabazimbi's by-election by 10am on Thursday morning.

A by-election in the Limpopo municipality took place on Wednesday after the dissolution of its council due to political conflicts.

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The commission has been working overnight to count and process the votes at its results operation centre.

A large projector screen at the IEC’s results operation centre in Thabazimbi displays the real-time vote tally as it is processed into the system.

IEC officials began the counting process at 9pm on Wednesday night, with ballots coming from all 12 wards and 57 voting stations in the municipality.

IEC commissioner in Limpopo, Nkaro Mateta, said the counting process would be handled with the utmost respect and integrity.

"The results centres are there for political representatives and independent candidates to monitor the voting, counting, and results process."

The results are expected to be announced later on Thursday.