Results of the May 18 local government elections in Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth):
The most closely contested of all the metros was that of Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth.) In the 2009 national elections the African National Congress had won 227,861 votes (50,14%), COPE 77,363 (17,02%) and the Democratic Alliance 128,042 (28,17%) within the municipality's boundaries. 460,123 out of 566,668 registered voters cast their ballots, a turnout of 81,2%.
In the event the ANC secured a narrow majority in PE in the May 18 local government elections. It secured 189,867 PR votes (52.13 %) and 187,271 (51,69%) ward votes - for a total of 377,138 votes (51,91%). It won 34 out of 60 ward seats and 63 out of 120, in total. This gives the party a majority of three on the council.
The DA won 146,559 PR votes (40,24%) and 145,012 ward votes (40,02%). They also secured 26 ward seats (48 in total). COPE however only managed to secure 4,95% of the vote (35,928 ward + PR votes) and 6 seats.
369,366 of 569,470 of registered voters in the metro cast their ballots, a turnout of 64,65%.
Compared to the previous local government elections the ANC won 3,177 more votes in 2011 than they did in 2006. The party's majority was cut from 66,53% to 51,91% due to a surge in support for the DA. The DA managed to win 154,472 more votes in 2011 than in 2006 - an increase of 112,67%. This lifted their share of the vote from 24,39% to 40,13%.