ActionSA Demands Election Re-Run After 215 Disputed Ballots at MP Malatjie Primary School
ActionSA has called for an election re-run at Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School in Polokwane, Limpopo, following an alleged discrepancy involving 215 ballots during the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The party claims its agents recorded 1,315 votes at the voting station, while records indicated that only 1,100 ballots had been released. ActionSA says the unexplained difference raises serious questions about the integrity of the voting and counting process.
In a media statement issued on 5 November 2026, ActionSA Provincial Chairperson Victor Mothemela confirmed that the party had lodged a formal complaint with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), demanding an investigation and an explanation for the disputed ballots.
The party wants the IEC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the ballots and consider a fresh election at the station if the investigation establishes that the credibility of the result has been compromised.
ActionSA Questions 215-Ballot Discrepancy at MP Malatjie
According to ActionSA, its party agents identified a discrepancy after recording 1,315 votes at the station, compared with 1,100 ballots that the party says were released according to the relevant records.
The difference amounts to 215 ballots.
ActionSA argues that the discrepancy requires a full explanation from the IEC, particularly because the party believes established electoral safeguards may not have been followed.
Mothemela said the party was concerned about the accountability of election officials and the procedures followed during the counting process.
The party has called on the IEC to investigate how the disputed ballots arrived at the voting station, establish whether the correct procedures were followed and take appropriate action if irregularities are confirmed.
Sealed Ballot Box Raises Further Concerns
ActionSA has also raised concerns about the arrival of a sealed box containing ballot papers at the voting station.
According to the party, the box arrived without police officers or accredited election observers present.
ActionSA says party agents questioned the validity of the ballots inside the box, with objections reportedly raised by representatives of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Mayibuye and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
The party alleges that IEC officials proceeded with the counting despite these objections, reportedly with the support of ANC party agents.
These claims form part of ActionSA’s complaint and have not, at this stage, established that the disputed ballots were unlawfully introduced or that the election result was manipulated.
IEC Confirms Counting Was Halted at Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School
The dispute comes as the IEC in Limpopo reported several incidents affecting election operations across the province.
In a report published by Jacaranda FM on 5 November, Limpopo Provincial Electoral Officer Nkaro Mateta confirmed that counting at Alf Makaleng Primary School and Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School in Ward 12 of Polokwane had been halted following an altercation between political agents and counting staff.
Mateta said the matter was being considered by the Party Liaison Committee, which was engaging relevant stakeholders to determine the way forward.
The IEC’s comments confirm that a disruption occurred at Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School. They do not, however, independently confirm ActionSA’s specific allegation that 215 additional ballots were present.
The distinction is important as the IEC’s investigation and any subsequent findings will determine what happened at the voting station.
ActionSA Lodges Formal Complaint with the IEC
ActionSA says it has formally submitted a complaint to the IEC and expects the matter to be handled impartially and transparently.
The party has specifically called for the enforcement of the Electoral Act 51 of 1996, including Section 65, which it raised in its complaint.
Mothemela said the IEC must apply electoral rules equally and must not allow any political party to receive preferential treatment.
ActionSA is demanding:
- A comprehensive explanation for the 215 disputed ballots.
- An investigation into how the ballots arrived at the voting station.
- An examination of whether the required electoral procedures and safeguards were followed.
- Appropriate action if electoral irregularities are established.
- Equal and fair treatment of all political parties.
- An election re-run if the investigation establishes that the result cannot be trusted.
The party says it will continue using lawful mechanisms to challenge any electoral process it believes threatens the credibility of the results.
Will the IEC Order an Election Re-Run at MP Malatjie Primary School?
ActionSA wants the IEC to arrange a fresh election at the affected voting station, but its demand is conditional.
The party says a re-run should take place if an investigation establishes that the alleged irregularities compromised the integrity of the election to the extent that the results cannot be trusted.
No election re-run has been confirmed in the information currently available.
The next important development will be the IEC’s handling of the complaint, its engagement with political parties and any formal findings concerning the disputed ballots.
For now, the 215-ballot discrepancy remains an allegation raised by ActionSA, and the outcome will depend on the evidence and the Commission’s investigation.
Why the 215 Disputed Ballots Matter
Electoral transparency is central to public confidence in South Africa’s democratic system.
Political parties are entitled to raise concerns about voting and counting procedures, while the IEC is responsible for administering elections and protecting the integrity of the process.
The alleged discrepancy at Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School has therefore raised questions about ballot reconciliation, the handling of sealed ballot boxes and the role of party agents and observers during counting.
ActionSA says the IEC must provide answers and ensure that the will of voters is respected.
The Commission’s findings will be important in determining whether the concerns can be resolved through the electoral complaints process or whether further action is necessary.
This story will be updated as the IEC responds and further information becomes available.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why is ActionSA demanding an election re-run at MP Malatjie Primary School?
ActionSA alleges that 1,315 votes were recorded at the station despite records indicating that only 1,100 ballots had been released. The party says the 215-ballot discrepancy requires an investigation.
2. How many disputed ballots were reported at MP Malatjie Primary School?
ActionSA alleges that there were 215 additional ballots, based on the difference between 1,315 recorded votes and 1,100 ballots reportedly released.
3. Where is MP Malatjie Primary School?
The station is identified in reporting on the IEC’s Limpopo election operations as Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School in Ward 12 of Polokwane, Limpopo.
4. Who is Victor Mothemela?
Victor Mothemela is ActionSA’s provincial chairperson and the party representative who issued the statement calling for an investigation into the disputed ballots.
5. Has ActionSA lodged a complaint with the IEC?
Yes. ActionSA says it has lodged a formal complaint with the IEC and wants an investigation into the disputed ballots and the procedures followed at the voting station.
6. Has the IEC confirmed that 215 extra ballots were found?
The IEC has confirmed that counting at Reverend P.M. Malatjie Primary School was halted following an altercation between political agents and counting staff. The specific allegation involving 215 additional ballots has not been independently confirmed by the IEC in the reporting currently available.
7. Will the election be re-run at MP Malatjie Primary School?
ActionSA is calling for a re-run if an investigation establishes that the integrity of the election was compromised. No re-run has been confirmed.
8. Which political parties reportedly disputed the ballots?
ActionSA says agents representing the EFF, Mayibuye and SACP questioned the validity of the ballots.
