PASS SPECIAL BILL FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS TO STAND IN POLL: EGLIN

CAPE TOWN Aug 30 Sapa

A special constitutional amendment should be passed as soon as
possible to allow public servants to be candidates in the
forthcoming local government elections, Democratic Party
constitutional spokesman Colin Eglin said on Wednesday.

It would be wrong to tell returning officers they could accept
nominations from such potential candidates on the understanding
that the necessary constitutional amendment would be passed by the
final deadline of September 22, he told Parliament's joint
constitutional affairs committee.

Fanus Schoeman (NP) supported Eglin.

The committee was discussing the Constitution of the Republic
of South Africa Second Amendment Bill, which includes a provision
to allow public servants to be local government candidates.

Senator James Selfe (DP) asked whether the Bill, which contains
a host of other clauses, including a controversial one on
traditional leaders, would be passed in time.

An official of the Department of Constitutional Affair said
September 5, 11 and 12 were the first dates on which returning
officers could receive candidates' nominations for the November 1
poll, with September 22 being the official nomination day.

Eglin then proposed that the clause on public servants be made
a separate Bill and passed as soon as possible.

Committee chairman Pravin Gordhan (ANC) said members should
discuss it among themselves once the committee had adjourned.

It meets again on Thursday.