Port Elizabeth – The EFF believe they have clinched a victory in the former ANC stronghold in Ward 43 in Nelson Mandela Bay, after the ruling party failed to field a candidate in the area.
While the IEC is still verifying results, EFF deputy regional chairperson Bo Madwara said they were very humbled by confidence shown in the party.
The party is contesting the local government elections for the first time in the hotly contested region.
A bungle in the list registration process cost the ANC the ward without a vote.
Since then, opposition parties have been going door-to-door in the area, hoping to court voters.
The day before elections, EFF chairperson Dali Mpofu asked residents to put their trust in the party, and they have listened, Madwara said.
“The very fact that we are going to enter council as the EFF is quite a positive thing for us,” he said.
Madwara said the party had got the majority of votes in the ward, which was a clear indication that they remained the hope of the people.
By 09:30, the EFF had about 4% of the verified votes in Nelson Mandela Bay.
He said the ongoing count was giving them hope as a party.
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