South Africa
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
08.05.2019
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
400
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
48
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
26,756,649
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
17,671,615
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
66.05%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC), now led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, retained the majority in the 400-member National Assembly. The Democratic Alliance (DA), led by Mr. Mmusi Maimane, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Mr. Julius Malema, former leader of ANC's Youth League, remained the second and the third largest parties. While the ANC and the DA both reduced their share of seats, the EFF increased its share from 25 to 44 seats. On 22 May, the National Assembly re-elected Mr. Ramaphosa as the President of the Republic. It also elected Ms. T.R. Modise (ANC), the outgoing President of the National Council of Provinces, as its new Speaker.
The 2019 elections were the first to be held under President Ramaphosa. He succeeded Mr. Jacob Zuma in December 2017, who had been forced out of office over corruption allegations. A record 48 parties (up from 29 in 2014) contested the 2019 elections. During election campaigning, the major parties focused on the economy and measures to tackle corruption and unemployment.
The 2019 elections were the first to be held under President Ramaphosa. He succeeded Mr. Jacob Zuma in December 2017, who had been forced out of office over corruption allegations. A record 48 parties (up from 29 in 2014) contested the 2019 elections. During election campaigning, the major parties focused on the economy and measures to tackle corruption and unemployment.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
14
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
29.17%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
57.5%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
African National Congress (ANC)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| African National Congress (ANC) | 230 |
| Democratic Alliance (DA) | 84 |
| Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) | 44 |
| Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) | 14 |
| Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) | 10 |
| African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) | 4 |
| United Democratic Movement (UDM) | 2 |
| African Transformation Movement (ATM) | 2 |
| GOOD | 2 |
| National Freedom Party (NFP) | 2 |
| African Independent Congress (AIC) | 2 |
| Congress of the People (COPE) | 2 |
| Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) | 1 |
| Al Jama'ah | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
216
Number of women elected
179
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
44.75%
Sources
National Assembly (24.05.2019)
Election Commission (https://www.elections.org.za)
AFP
BBC Monitoring
Reuters
africanews.com
Election Commission (https://www.elections.org.za)
AFP
BBC Monitoring
Reuters
africanews.com
Women Directly Elected
179
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
216
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
179
First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
201
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
22.05.2019
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
T R
Modise
(Female)
Political party
African National Congress (ANC)
Date of election
22.05.2019