The Inkatha Freedom Party has withdrawn its legal challenge to contest the declaration of the April 14 election as free and fair. IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi said although widespread irregularities occurred in South Africa and particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, the party had taken the decision not to proceed with the challenge in the interest of national unity. "It was never our intention to spoil the celebrations of our first decade of democracy. It is my earnest hope that our announcement will have the positive effect of ensuring that future elections will proceed without similar problems and acts of intimidation," Buthelezi said in a statement.