DA prepares for landmark federal congress

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says its federal congress, which will be held this weekend, will not only be its biggest yet, but also its slickest.

Besides electing a new party leader, the congress will also grapple with the highest number of policy proposals ever submitted to it.

On Thursday, voting began for positions within the Federal Council, the body that oversees the governance of the party, and which will see one of the party’s most well-known leaders, Helen Zille, replaced by one of three candidates.

The presiding officers for the federal congress said they are satisfied that all is on track for the party’s most important event, which comes around every three years.

Before it elects a new party leader, it will grapple with constitutional amendments and vote on resolutions.

The bulk of the just under 2200 delegates will come from Gauteng and the Western Cape in line with the party’s electoral outcome at the last national election.

READ: DA faces defining moment as leadership battle tests voter appeal

Presiding officer Werner Horn says the congress is a fair representation of the party’s members across all branches and provinces.

"Our federal constitution determines that no fewer than 45% of all delegates must represent branches, so that would mean they may not be public representatives of the party."

Horn is also running to replace Zille as Chairperson of the Federal Council, along with Neo Mokoena and Ashor Sarupen.

At least ten representatives at the congress will represent the DA's support base abroad.