NATIONAL NEWS - Parliament released a set of rules and procedures that will be followed when Members vote on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma today, Tuesday 8 August in the National Assembly (NA).

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 NA Chamber will be locked for voting.

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, of which 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 option. 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.

The counting room
A counting room will be set aside and monitored by the Serjeant-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.

Source: Caxton publication, Alberton Record.