EAST LONDON - The African National Congress in the Eastern Cape is to intensify its election campaign in the province and has deployed top-level leadership to mobilise voters in the region until the election.

This was one of the decisions taken at the party's two-day provincial lekgotla held here at the weekend.

The meeting came out with a two-month programme of action in which members of the national executive committee and provincial leadership are deployed to visit all the regions of Amathole, Cacadu, OR Tambo, Chris Hani, Ukhahlamba, Alfred Nzo and Nelson Mandela.

Provincial spokesperson Phaki Hobongwana said NEC members Saki Macozoma and Lindiwe Sisulu also attended.

Hobongwana said the movement reviewed the work that had been done already. He said in all the areas visited people inquired about various issues which were clarified including land reform, affirmative action and cultural heritage.

The party's election report was endorsed as good progress.

"We have to ensure that we mobilise all our structures and the masses of the province behind the ANC."

Hobongwana expressed concern over the last voter registration figures which were below 80percent in the municipal areas of Mnquma, Buffalo City, Nyandeni, Nelson Mandela Metro, Mbashe, Camdeboo, Blue Crane, Ndlambe, Baviaans and Koukamma.

"These areas we still need to target to ensure that more people register."

The lekgotla agreed that all municipalities should be pushed to register beyond 85percent of the potential voters.

In the run-up to the elections, the ANC will put much energy on undecided voters by addressing their concerns while it mobilises all its members to go to the polls.

The organisation resolved to try to break new ground by addressing racial and class patterns in its support.

Party liaison committee representatives will be instructed to engage the Independent Electoral Commission in addressing problems encountered during the January24-25 registrations.

Hobongwana said that, during the action programme, which runs until mid-March, themes to be addressed include consolidating the ANC social base, reaching undecided voters, mobilising unregistered voters to register, popularising the ANC manifesto, focusing on sectors and holding community meetings and organising rallies in Umtata.

Hobongwana said the lekgotla resolved that it is the leadership's responsibility to keep the momentum high as the election nears and to synchronise the organisation's work at all levels.

"No-one must fall behind; we need everyone in the forefront," he said.