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At 2pm on Tuesday, MPs will gather at the National Assembly to cast their vote via secret ballot in the highly anticipated vote of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.
Parliament has set out the process in a statement released on Tuesday.
Here’s what to expect:
Preparation for voting
After the debate on a motion of no confidence, business will be suspended in order to allow for preparation of the NA Chamber for a secret ballot vote.
Bells will be rung to alert members to the resumption of business and the doors of the National Assembly Chamber will be locked for voting.
The Speaker will announce the procedure to be followed for the casting of votes.
Ballot papers and boxes
The question to be voted upon will be printed on the ballot paper, with the following options: YES, NO or ABSTAIN.
There will be two ballot boxes and four voting booths – one will be wheelchair accessible.
The Speaker will direct that the empty boxes be shown to members and, thereafter sealed with cable ties.
Process in the chamber
A control sheet will be prepared beforehand with members’ names.
Members will be called in alphabetic order to collect ballot papers from the voting table.
Each ballot paper issued will be stamped before being given to a member.
Names of members issued with ballot papers will be crossed out on the control sheet.
Members will proceed to one of the four booths and will vote by making a clear mark or cross alongside the YES, NO or ABSTAIN options.
Each member present must vote and may only vote once.
Once all members present have voted, the Speaker will direct that the ballot boxes be closed and sealed.
The opening slit on the lid of the ballot box (for insertion of ballot papers) will also be sealed after the ballots are cast.
The Speaker will request each party to designate one whip or representative to witness the counting process.
Business will be suspended for counting.
Counting room
A counting room will be set aside and monitored by the Sergeant-at-arms and the Parliamentary Protection Services.
Counting of the ballot papers will take place under the supervision of the Speaker and in the presence of the whips or party representatives.
All ballot boxes will be opened in the presence of the Speaker, Whips or party representatives.
Votes will be sorted, counted and audited in the presence of the Speaker, Whips or party representatives.
The Secretary to the National Assembly will sign-off the result before handing it over to the Speaker.
No one is to disclose the results, in any way whatsoever, before the Speaker announces the results in the Assembly.
No one may use any electronic devices in the counting room.
Invalid ballot papers
A ballot paper is invalid –
- If it is not stamped
- If it is unmarked or
- If a Member has signed his or her name, or made more than one mark in recording his or her vote.
Announcement of results
Bells will be rung to alert members to the resumption of business.
Once business resumes, the Speaker will announce the results in the NA Chamber.
Storage of voting results
The ballot papers will be stored in archive boxes, which will be sealed with cable ties and wax and stored in a safe.
The archive boxes may only be opened by order of the Speaker or a court of law.
Unforeseen procedural matters
The Speaker may permit a discussion of the question of procedure and may limit participation in, and for the duration of, the discussion in such manner as he or she deems fit. – News24