41.   Opposition calls for postponing elections.

42.   Opposition lawmakers criticized it as an attempt to curb political activity and postpone municipal elections scheduled for June.

43.   Opposition parties have alleged Kumaratunga imposed the emergency to postpone elections because her party was unlikely to win as many votes as it has in the past.

44.   Political analysts say Mrs. Kumaratunga will use the powers to postpone election to municipal and area councils which are required to be held in June.

45.   President Frederick Chiluba was asked Thursday by South African President Nelson Mandela to postpone national elections scheduled for Monday.

46.   Peasant party leaders criticized the president Wednesday for postponing municipal elections until after administrative reforms have been adopted, and urged a referendum on the reform.

47.   Postponing the elections until Russia withdraws its troops from Chechnya was a key rebel demand in talks earlier this week.

48.   A senior Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the municipal elections would be postponed because of political problems throughout Bosnia.

49.   A parliamentary committee, taking up the suggestion of co-Interior Minister Sar Kheng, agreed Tuesday to recommend that the elections be postponed from May to November.

50.   Across the political spectrum, politicians on Monday condemned the idea of postponing the election.