IN A desperate attempt to garner support in the run-up to municipal elections in 2011, the IFP will this week hold a series of report-back sessions in its constituencies.

This comes amid a clear decline in the party's support in the national general elections as well as the recent bi-elections in the province.

The party's national deputy spokesperson and MPL Thulasizwe Buthelezi said the first phase of the sessions will begin on Thursday with four simultaneous report-back sessions.

"The programme will begin with a brief report-back by MPs and MPLs on their activities during the 2009 first session of parliament. This will be followed by an opportunity for participants to convey to IFP MPs issues they wish to be raised in parliament," he said.

Buthelezi described the initiative as a good opportunity for party members to directly interact with their leaders.

"We are excited at this opportunity to report back to the people who voted for the IFP and members of the public on what we have already achieved on their behalf in our parliamentary work.

"But even more exciting is the opportunity to get a renewed mandate on the issues we should raise in the next sitting of parliament," Buthelezi said.

"Both IFP members and members of the public should feel free to express themselves. This is an open meeting and we take public concerns seriously."