The ANC must stop abusing its position as the incumbent party
2004-01-12. Patricia De Lille, leader of the Independent Democrats,says, "The ANC is playing a destructive game of hide-and-seek with our country's democracy. Given the high level of voter apathy in the country, it is unwarranted for President Mbeki to withhold the date for the election while launching the ANC?s campaign. It is unacceptable for other political parties to plan in a vacuum until he discloses the date. Not only political parties, but businesses and the public, need to plan around the dates. The ANC is taking unfair advantage of the electorate."
The Independent Democrats call on President Mbeki to consider the
university holidays when he announces the election date since the IEC
has registered students to vote at their place of study. De Lille says,
"We will not accept any diminishing of the voice of the country's youth
- their political involvement is crucial to the future of South
Africa's democracy."
Africa's democracy."
