United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa says he has been approached to form a coalition government in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan.

"I hear some big parties are talking to us saying... can you help us. Depending on the last count, the UDM might be approached by either ANC [African National Congress] or DA [Democratic Alliance] to assist them," Holomisa said on Thursday.

"The DA leader has approached me but I said to him let's wait for the results to be pronounced."

This comes after the Democratic Alliance got 49% of the votes while the African National Congress received 39% in the hotly contested area. Holomisa said he does not mind working with either party but he would have to take voter behaviour into account.

"In the past I have helped both. Remember when [Helen] Zille took over Cape Town from ANC? We also assisted the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal in 2004 when it ascended to power. The principle we apply is that we look at what were the wishes of the voters then we take a decision, not whether you like a certain leader or not, I don't work like that," said Holomisa.

DA spokesperson Mabine Seabe could not be reached for comment.