ELECTIONS COMMITTEE IGNORED BY NORTHERN PROVINCE: CLAIM

PIETERSBURG Aug 24 Sapa

The Provincial Election Grievance Committee in Northern
Province this week said it was concerned about the possibility of
November's local government elections not being free and fair.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the committee, chairman
Stewart Kumalo said although it had been formed in May at the
initiative of local government MEC John Dombo, the provincial
government had so far ignored all requests put forward by the body.

"A substantial number of complaints have been received from the
public, but the provincial government is not willing to play its
part in solving problems," he said.

Some parties had allegedly been excluded deliberately from
procedures leading to the formation of transitional local councils,
Kumalo added.

"There is growing anger in some parts of the province, and
people are becoming increasingly reluctant to vote in the
elections."

Kumalo said scheduled meetings with an arbitration court had
been called off without the grievances committee having been
informed, resulting in committee members travelling long distances
in vain.

The committee felt the provincial government was deliberately
dragging its feet in dealing with election complaints.

The committee questioned whether there was any point in
continuing its work, Kumalo said.

No immediate reponse could be obtained from Dombo's office.