By The Free State province remains under the absolute rule of the African National Congress (ANC) following the highly contested National and Provincial Elections on 29 May 2024.
The province has been a strong hold of the liberation party and these elections proved exactly that. Though there is a general ANC arrogance fatigue across the country, the electorate in the Free State remain loyal to the ANC and have made their voice heard at the polls.
The Congress in the provinces went into the elections confident that it will retain the province and it came out victorious in the highly contested elections.
Speaking to The Business Weekly during the special elections, the Member of Provincial Legislature Mr Thembeni Nxangisa said the ANC has made serious strides in addressing poverty in the province and to improve the economy of the province. He said in the next administration, the party will focus on service delivery to improve the quality of life for the residents of Free State.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa officially declared the election results on Sunday evening, 2 June 2024. Though the ANC has lost two provinces and will enter into a coalition in one, it managed to retain six including the Free State.
According to the IEC, voter turnout was 58.64% and the ANC won the majority votes by 51.87% (16 seats), voter support compared to 2019 has dropped from 61.14%. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has shown some growth in the Free State receiving 21: 88% (7 seats), an upward trajectory from 17.58% in 2019. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) came in in third place at 13.52% (4 seats) showing growth from 12.58% in 2019.
The Free State Legislature will witness some new comers including ACT lead by the former Premier of the Free State and Secretary General of the ANC Mr Ace Magashule which received 1.83% (1 seat) voter support. The MK Party also gained one seat having received 1.93% voter support. The VF Plus also received one seat with 3.01% voter support.
