The African Christian Democratic Party says that larger parties — in particular the ruling African National Congress — will benefit from the upcoming floor-crossing period for MPs and the nine provincial legislatures.
In a statement on Tuesday, ACDP MP Steve Swart said his party is on record as being opposed to floor-crossing because it undermines the will of the voter as expressed in an election.
In a speech prepared to be delivered in the National Assembly on the Constitutional Matters Amendment Bill, Swart — who is the ACDP spokesperson on justice and constitutional matters — said: ”It is undeniable that the majority party has and continues to benefit the most from floor-crossing.
”The majority of the votes cast for the soon-to-be defunct New National Party will now in all likelihood indirectly go to the ANC, should NNP MPs and MPLs cross the floor to the ANC,” he continued.
The floor-crossing period — which runs for the first two weeks of September — is likely to underpin the ANC’s grip on the Western Cape legislature.
At least four of the NNP’s five legislature members are set to join the ANC caucus, bolstering that party’s strength from 19 to 23 seats — out of 42 seats.
Swart said the traditional arguments against allowing floor-crossing relate to corruption and political instability.
”When the floor-crossing legislation was being considered in 2002, I pointed out the impact that floor-crossing and reduced party funding would have on existing legal obligations of a party, such as employment and office rental contracts.
”Certain parties, such as the United Democratic Movement, were financially decimated when their members defected [in the previous floor-crossing period in 2003].
”There was clearly a need to regulate the allocation of such funds following a floor-crossing window.
”The justice and constitutional development portfolio committee then resolved to request the department to look into these matters, and formulate the amending legislation we are today considering,” said Swart. — I-Net Bridge