Cape Town cannot meet election date: City administrator

CAPE TOWN July 12 Sapa

It would be impossible to hold local elections in Cape Town on
November 1 because a boundary dispute had delayed the entire
elections process, city administrator Gys Hofmeyer said on
Wednesday.

"Even if it were possible to change the regulations, by the
time we have done that we will have run out of time," he told the
city council's transitional affairs committee.

The National Party is at loggerheads with the African National
Congress and community organisations over the inclusion of
townships in the Cape Town municipality.

Western Cape premier Hernus Kriel has vowed to take the dispute
to the Constitutional Court.

Hofmeyer criticised the authorities for giving the impression
the demarcation row could be solved in time to make nationwide
local elections on November 1 possible.

"It is also unfortunate that many people think the voters' roll
process is proceeding according to plan, whereas in truth the
formal advertisement and inspection of voters' rolls cannot yet
take place."

A spokesman for Provincial Affairs and Constitutional
Development minister Roelf Meyer's office denied authorities were
shying away from problems.

"After last week's meeting between the minister and the nine
provincial ministers a statement was issued that acknowledged the
problems and said they might hamper the holding of elections."

He said this would be discussed at the next cabinet meeting on
July 26.