DP LOOKING FOR EXCUSES TO POSTPONE ELECTIONS

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government

The D.P has consistently tried to find excuses for the upcoming
municipal elections to be postponed. These excuses have been echoed
on various platforms of different levels.

"These upcoming elections will be held in Gauteng on November 1
as President Nelson Mandela has announced, in spite of DP and other
minority parties insinuations. It is irresponsible of the DP to
think the last leg of democratising the country should be postponed.
People's freedom cannot be postponed. If there's lack of capacity in
local authorities ie. TMC's, TLC's and other local government
structures to process voters rolls, logic should dictate that steps
be taken to increase personnel.As far as the Gauteng Government is
concerned, we have proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the
province is ready to deliver the elections. The demarcation disputes
have been sorted out and delimitation arrangements announced.

The training of Voter Education officers is continuing at a high
speed. So far more than 52 workshops involving more than a thousand
voter education officers have been completed in Pretoria alone.
Meanwhile training in other areas of the province is continuing. A
huge voter education media campaign will be underway shortly.

It's ironic that while the DP has been saying it will surprise
other parties by winning the elections overwhelmingly ... it now
appears scared to participate in the elections. We want them to
translate Tony Leon's statements into visible action when he
repeatedly said his party will win the elections.

The 2% (per cent) requirement for candidates is fair and very
minimal. It can surely be easily acquired by any serious party or
politician. The DP must just ensure and persuade their followers and
supporters to do what is expected of them in the polling booths and
stop making excuses for perpetuating existing undemocratic
structures.

The usage of the word sabotage is unfortunate and misguided.
There should be no excuse for the upcoming elections to be
postponed.

ISSUED BY: DAN MOFOKENG
GAUTENG MEC FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING
23 August 1995