CAMPAIGNING for the North's council elections has entered its last day, with predictions from Sinn Fein and the fringe loyalists parties that they will secure strong support in tomorrow's poll.
Sinn Fein is fielding 96 candidates and its chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, has said he is confident that republicans will perform well. Observers will be watching closely to see if Sinn Fein increases its percentage of the nationalist vote vis a vis the SDLP.
At the launching of his party's manifesto yesterday, Mr McLaughlin said: "We will be campaigning for an increased mandate on the basis of our track record of effective representation, which is the envy of our opponents."
He predicted that the "continuing surge" in Sinn Fein support will end the "unionist stranglehold" on Belfast, Magherafelt, Strabane and Limavady councils.
"Nationalists came out in their greatest numbers ever at the Westminster election two weeks ago. By coming out in a similar fashion this Wednesday and voting Sinn Fein in the same numbers, they will change the political map of the Six Counties forever," he said.
"It's time for change and the electorate will make that change on Wednesday by voting Sinn Fein.
The SDLP, however, is also predicting that it will increase its vote and reverse the trend towards Sinn Fein in west Belfast.
The Ulster Democratic Party called for reform of the RUC and the phased release of loyalist prisoners in its local government manifesto also published yesterday.
The party is fielding 16 candidates. Its strongest area is Lisburn, Co Antrim, where it hopes to elect three councillors including party leader, Mr Gary McMichael, and press officer, Mr Davy Adams.
Mr McMichael said he was fully committed to the success of political negotiations, but would oppose any attempt to dilute the British citizenship of the people of Northern Ireland through economic or political coercion.
He stressed the need for an unequivocal IRA ceasefire, with an end to intelligence gathering, training and targeting. The UDP also called for a written constitution agreed by both sections of the community which would lay the foundations for a progressive new society. It proposed a council off the British Isles, which would include representatives from the Republic.
The Progressive Unionist Party, which has 23 candidates, is expected to poll even better than the UDP with the possibility of electing at least three councillors in Belfast.
Mr David Ervine is certain of election in east Belfast and Mr Hugh Smyth should be successful in the Shankill ward of Court. Another leading member, Mr Billy Hutchinson, might just come through in north Belfast.
Mr Ervine said the PUP would win support from all the other parties; fringe loyalist candidates were receiving a wonderful reception on the doorsteps.
The Green Party, with seven candidates, also launched its manifesto yesterday. It proposed the introduction of proportional representation and the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into the North's domestic law.
The party said that majority rule and violence were both wrong. It called for the setting up of a body in the North along the lines of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Greens also proposed the establishment of an environmental protection agency to curb the rights of landowners; more religiously integrated schools; free bus travel for pensioners; and more new parks and "local plants instead of expensive temporary flower displays".