Allow a secret ballot. That is the only way whereby ANC members of parliament can vote in accordance with their conscience and good judgment without having to fear the consequences of their actions.
This is the appeal dr. Corné Mulder, chief whip of the FF Plus, made today in response to the speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete’s, request for political parties’ input regarding a secret ballot to remove president Jacob Zuma from office.
In his written appeal, dr. Mulder points out to the speaker that she herself said that she is not opposed to allowing a secret ballot, but that she did not have the authority to decide on the matter. This was before the Constitutional court’s ruling, which determines that the speaker does indeed have the authority to decide whether or not a secret ballot will be allowed.
Dr. Mulder says that the FF Plus has always held the opinion that ‘it is just logical’ that if the president is elected by means of a secret ballot, then he must also be removed by means of a secret ballot.
Dr. Mulder also pointed out to Mbete that if she should refuse to allow a secret ballot on the motion of no confidence against president Zuma, then her behaviour can in all respects be seen as ‘accommodating’ towards the president seeing as he made it very clear that he prefers an open ballot when he responded to a question posed by the FF Plus.
“A decision not to allow a secret ballot would be irrational and will have to be reviewed in light of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the matter,” says dr. Mulder.
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