KWANATAL-ELECTIONS

DURBAN July 26 Sapa

KwaZulu/Natal elections should go ahead as scheduled: MEC

Local government elections should go ahead on November 1 as
scheduled in most KwaZulu/Natal areas, local government and housing
MEC Peter Miller said on Wednesday.

In a statement Miller reversed Tuesday's call for the
postponement of local elections in the province due to ward
delimitation and boundary disputes.

Instead, he recommended elections should take place in local
authoritieess.

"Subject to discussions with my cabinet colleagues, who have at
all times supported the idea of elections on November 1, I will
recommend that local authorities which are ready and able to have
elections on November 1 be encouraged to do so, and that other
local authorities hold elections at staggered intervals thereafter
as and when they become ready."

Spokesman for the KwaZulu/Natal local government and housing
department Warwick Dorning said Miller's turn-around was an attempt
to promote national consensus in local election policy.

"In the interests of national unity he (Miller) sees merit in
staging local elections according to the policy of the national
ministry," Dorning said.

Miller on postponement of local elections
on the basis of a report into the feasibility of elections in
KwaZulu/Natal.

The report showed only 7,88 percent of the province's three
million registered voters would be able to vote.

This was largely because 16 of the province's 61 transitional
local councils - including the most populous areas of
KwaZulu/Natal - would not be officially proclaimed by the July 31
deadline date.

The proclomation is required in terms of the Local Government
Transition Act.

On Wednesday, however, Miller said elections would nevertheless
be possible in the majority of local government areas, despite
these areas representing less than 10 percent of registered voters.

"In subsequent telephone calls with the national ministry, however, 
I see merit in following what will apparently be the national 
approach - namely to allow local authorities to go ahead with 
elections the moment they are ready," Miller said.

He also accused the African National Congress of launching a
"smear tactic" by accusing the Inkatha Freedom Party of attempting
to delay the local elections.

"The IFP is in fact itching to go to the polls in order to
consolidate its position at local government level."

Miller's announcement tied in with a Cabinet decision of
Wednesday that local government elections go ahead in all provinces
on November 1, except in areas where demarcation problems existed.

Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development Minister
Roelf Meyer said such areas could apply for exemption.