MK Party wants secret ballot when no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa is voted on
The party said this is to protect members of the National Assembly from intimidation and possible reprisals from their political parties when the motion is finally considered.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the eulogy at the Special Provincial Official Funeral Service held for anti-apartheid stalwart and former African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Dumalisile Nokwe at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg, Gauteng. Picture: X/PresidencyZA
CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has called for a secret ballot when the party’s motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa is voted on.
The party said this is to protect members of the National Assembly (NA) from intimidation and possible reprisals from their political parties when the motion is finally considered.
The party’s parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, wrote to NA Speaker Thoko Didiza on Thursday to make the formal request.
The MK Party’s motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa was filed on Tuesday and cites several governance failures in his administration, like the high crime rate, the economy, and national security.
In his letter to Didiza, Hlophe listed three justifications for the secret ballot when the motion is debated and voted on.
He said a secret ballot will ensure that “members of Parliament can exercise their constitutional duty freely and without fear of intimidation or reprisal”.
Hlophe said this is particularly important “given the sensitive nature of the motion and the potential political consequences for individual members”.
He said another reason is the Constitutional Court ruling in the United Democratic Movement v Speaker of the National Assembly matter in 2017, where the court affirmed that the speaker has the discretion to allow a secret ballot.
Hlophe said the integrity of the voting process is another important factor, and a secret ballot will “safeguard the integrity of the process” to reflect the true will of members.