Although the vote count is yet to be completed, the political landscape in KwaZulu-Natal is set to change.
The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has emerged as the early front-runner, beating the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
The state's election commission assessed that there were no significant irregularities in the state's election, although voting was delayed at some polling stations, mainly due to late delivery of ballots and problems with vote-control equipment.
In KwaZulu-Natal, MK is the front-runner:
Long queues
The election saw long queues of voters waiting to cast their ballots in Durban city and townships.
Thousands of voters waited for hours to cast their ballots, many casting their ballots long after the 9 p.m. cut-off time.
“The line was so long, I got here at 8pm and ended up leaving at 4am. It was tough. Some people left but I'm glad I was able to vote in the end,” one voter said.
Hundreds of people queue at a polling station in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. pic.twitter.com/peTkDVKqRx
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 29, 2024
But many were disappointed.
“I didn't vote. The queue was so long and I couldn't wait that long to vote, it was stressful. We got there in the morning but ended up leaving late and didn't even vote,” lamented one who didn't vote.
“I'm really disappointed that I wasn't able to vote. It was my first time voting and I thought I would have an opportunity to make a difference. I didn't get that chance,” one voter explained.
Another person who did not vote said, “They said I wasn't registered, but I was registered. I don't know what happened. I feel so bad. I'm not OK. I wanted to vote. It was my right.”
Analysing results trends so far in KwaZulu-Natal: Professor Bheki Mngomezulu
Arrest
The KwaZulu-Natal Electoral Commission also confirmed the arrest of one staff member in Pietermaritzburg over the sealed ballot box tampering.
Meanwhile, MK members in Ladysmith held early celebrations on Thursday after news of the party's expansion in the area was announced.
“This is a victory for MK and this is just the beginning. We are confident that we will do well in other wards,” MK regional coordinator Mthandeni Chonko said.
Analysts said the fight for control of the state, where a coalition government could be formed, would be fierce.
The commission said the state's provisional results are expected to be released on Sunday.