THE planned elective conference to be held this week by the Cope will be changed to a policy conference, the party said yesterday.

THE planned elective conference to be held this week by the Cope will be changed to a policy conference, the party said yesterday.

This was confirmed by Onkgopotse JJ Tabane, the head of Cope's technical committee.

The electoral conference became mired in controversy with battles over the proceedings and accreditation between factions aligned with Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota and deputy president Mbhazima Shilowa.

Cope Northern Cape acting provincial secretary Fezile Kies issued a statement yesterday afternoon welcoming the decision.

According to Kies, the elective conference would now be held in September.

"The extra few months allocated to prepare for an elective conference give the party a chance to further strengthen its structures in the Northern Cape," he said.

"We are pleased that the month of September was chosen for an elective conference as this gives us adequate time to prepare for the local government elections next year." - Sapa